![\"youtube](\"https:\/\/www.cryptocabaret.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/youtube-x.jpg\")
YouTube is the world\u2019s most watched streaming platform. The endless library of videos, uploaded by both amateurs and professionals, is simply unrivaled.<\/p>\nYouTube is the world\u2019s most watched streaming platform. The endless library of videos, uploaded by both amateurs and professionals, is simply unrivaled.<\/p>\n
This popularity translates into hard cash, with YouTube and its creators generating billions of dollars in yearly revenue. However, the revenue potential is also a magnet for people who try to profit from the work of others. <\/p>\n
We\u2019re not referring to the occasional use of copyrighted content in a broader creative context, but systematic copying in order to generate \u2018viral\u2019 content. This turns out to be a profitable business model for dubious \u2018creators\u2019 trying to ride the wave of YouTube\u2019s algorithm. <\/p>\n
These types of channels exist in various gradations. Some have found loopholes to upload Hollywood content, but those more astute typically stay away from well protected footage. Instead, they source videos that perform well on YouTube, often focused on a specific theme. <\/p>\n
Running an operation like this requires expertise. It can be quite a challenge to evade YouTube\u2019s copyright checks, including the Content ID system. Evading copyright strikes and related penalties is a top priority. <\/p>\n
In recent weeks, several of these dubious YouTube channels demonstrated a rather disturbing trend. After generating many millions of views, they suddenly swap their existing channel artwork and video thumbnails for images of hardcore porn. <\/p>\n
This sounds bizarre, but we have documented several examples. The MrTech channel<\/a>, for example, which had more than 170,000 subscribers, originally looked like this<\/a>. With the post popular videos each generating millions of views, it was certainly doing well. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n Early November, however, the channel was suddenly filled with sexually explicit content. The videos were still the same, but the thumbnails, channel header, and the logo were clearly NSFW. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n This type of footage is strictly forbidden on the streaming platform and within a few hours the channel was banned for violating community guidelines. That wasn\u2019t unexpected at all, of course. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n This explicit facade doesn\u2019t appear to be an isolated incident. Others have started to notice<\/a> similar channel overhauls recently. Internet Archive has a copy of the popular Luckiest People channel (NSFW!!<\/a>) that shows a similar transformation, and there are many more. <\/p>\n So why do these types of channels display this behavior? Were they hacked? Or is there an ulterior motive behind getting themselves banned?<\/p>\n From what we are able to gather, these changes are intentional. We can\u2019t rule anything out at this point, but it seems that the channel operators are deliberately trying to get their channels terminated for community guideline violations. <\/p>\n When channels are hit with several copyright strikes, they are on the brink of being terminated under YouTube\u2019s copyright policy. However, by using porn as a shield, they\u2019re able to preempt the copyright ban. This tactic usually works, as channels with blatant pornographic content are reported en masse and swiftly banned.<\/p>\n This tactic highlights a potential loophole or weakness in YouTube\u2019s enforcement mechanism that malicious actors can exploit. But what do they get out of it?<\/p>\n YouTube channels can be terminated for both repeated copyright infringement and community guideline violations. In these cases, revenues are often withheld as well. It\u2019s possible, however, that linked AdSense accounts are treated differently. <\/p>\n AdSense policies can be confusing, but based on additional information provided by Google\u2019s AI, YouTube copyright bans are most likely to result in AdSense terminations too. <\/p>\n \u201cGoogle may suspend or permanently terminate the AdSense account linked to the terminated YouTube channel. This is because AdSense policies prohibit users from profiting from content that infringes on others\u2019 copyrights.\u201d<\/p>\n For community guideline violations, triggered by explicit content, Google AI notes that the response is \u2018more nuanced\u2019. Associated AdSense accounts are therefore less likely to be terminated. <\/p>\n \u201cUnlike with copyright strikes, a channel terminated for community guideline violations might not automatically lead to AdSense termination. This is because the focus is on the content itself, not necessarily on profiting from illegal activity.\u201d<\/p>\n Apparently, in some instances, revenues that were initially withheld may even be released after an investigation. That would be another major advantage.<\/p>\n This difference in penalties would explain the sudden appearance of explicit material on these channels. While that doesn\u2019t save the existing channel in any way, it may leave the associated AdSense account intact. <\/p>\n An approved AdSense account is valuable, and keeping it intact means that it can then be used by other channels to start the process all over again. Indeed, there are clear signs that the people or groups behind \u201cporn shield\u201d continue their work elsewhere. <\/p>\n For example, we have seen plenty of new channels showing pretty much identical content to that uploaded by MrTech. Without pointing fingers directly, this Google search for one of its video titles is quite revealing<\/a>. <\/p>\n TorrentFreak reached out to YouTube which couldn\u2019t directly answer our questions. Instead, it provided a general statement, noting that MrTech triggered its Nudity & Sexual Content Policy, and that there\u2019s a separate program for dealing with copyright infringement.<\/p>\n From: TF<\/a>, for the latest news on copyright battles, piracy and more.<\/p>\n![\"mrtech\"](\"https:\/\/www.cryptocabaret.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/mrt.jpg\")
<\/center><\/p>\n![\"mrtech\"](\"https:\/\/www.cryptocabaret.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/mrtech1cent.jpg\")
<\/center><\/p>\n![\"violated](\"https:\/\/www.cryptocabaret.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/violated-600x70.jpg\")
<\/center><\/p>\nPorn Shield?<\/h2>\n
AdSense Nuance<\/h2>\n