A group of Republican attorneys general is calling on YouTube to remove a “misleading” context disclaimer on a video posted by a pro-life group warning about chemical abortion.
In a letter sent Monday to Neal Mohan, CEO of Google Inc.’s YouTube, Iowa Attorney General Brenna Byrd, along with 15 of her Republican colleagues, said certain videos were “objectively false. criticized the platform for adding a “contextual note” and called on the company to do so. Immediately remove or correct misleading “information panels” attached to videos posted by Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF).
The video mentioned is of a woman “describing the excruciating experience of inducing a chemical abortion alone at home, without the presence of a doctor or nurse.”
“Your bias against pro-life and pro-women messages is un-American, inconsistent with the freedoms protected by the First Amendment, and in this case illegal. It must stop,” the letter said. “it is written like this.
Supreme Court sets date to hear abortion pill challenge
Iowa Attorney General Brenna Byrd (Photo by Rachel Mumy/AFP via Getty Images)
A “context” note posted by YouTube reads: “Abortion is a procedure to end a pregnancy. The procedure involves removing the embryo, fetus, or placenta from the uterus using drugs or surgery. The procedure is licensed. Performed by a medical professional.”
The AGs claim that the last sentence of the notice is “false and misleading.”
“This suggests that chemical abortions are performed by trained professionals, which is not the case. Surgical abortions are still generally ‘performed by licensed medical professionals.’ However, under current FDA protocols, chemical abortions are ‘performed’ by the pregnant woman herself,” the AGs said. in a letter.
“Women have a right to know the truth,” AG Byrd said in a statement to Fox News Digital. “We deny it. The YouTube campaign misrepresents chemical abortion and targets abortion supporters.” They convey the message of life and put real lives at risk. ”
Alabama AG Steve Marshall, who also signed the letter, told Fox News Digital: “This is the latest problematic example of Big Tech targeting conservative viewpoints. To make matters worse, YouTube is false and dangerous. They do so by spreading the word.”
The letter references the upcoming Supreme Court case, FDA v. Hippocrates Medical Alliance, in which FDA lawyers challenge abortion pill access and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s regulatory approval process. This is a lawsuit filed by.
AGS in 20 states warns CVS, Walgreens that distribution of abortion pills violates state and federal laws
A “context” note posted by YouTube reads: “Abortion is a procedure to end a pregnancy. The procedure involves removing the embryo, fetus, or placenta from the uterus using drugs or surgery. The procedure is licensed. Performed by a medical professional.” ((Photo illustration: Florian Gaertner/Getty Images))
Following last year’s reversal of Roe v. Wade, the FDA took several steps aimed at making mifepristone pills easier to access and use.
The letter acknowledges that prior to 2016, the FDA required mifepristone and misoprostol to be prescribed and administered only by physicians and in medical settings, requirements that reduce the significant risks these drugs pose to women. It is pointed out that there is.
The AGs note that the FDA currently allows women to receive these drugs by mail from non-physicians and self-administer them without necessarily meeting a doctor or other health care professional in person.
“Chemical abortion is the most common abortion method in this country, and according to the FDA’s own labeling, women deserve to know the truth about these high-risk drugs that send approximately 1 in 25 people to the emergency room. Yes,” the AGs wrote.
Missouri attorney general sues Biden administration for approving mailing of chemical abortion pills
Mifepristone, also known as RU-486, is a drug that is typically used in combination with misoprostol to produce medical abortions and manage early miscarriages during pregnancy. (Getty Images)
“By claiming that chemical abortions are performed by licensed medical professionals, YouTube lied to voters and the rest of the American public. That lie is the basis of the current Supreme Court case. “This is particularly concerning because it inaccurately depicts core facts,” the letter said.
The letter also states that “by editing and posting the false warning label itself, YouTube is not entitled to immunity under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act.” Section 230 is a federal law that protects social media platforms from lawsuits over content created by third-party users.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“One of our nation’s most cherished traditions is the freedom to speak and express ourselves in the marketplace of ideas. As Americans become increasingly dependent on the internet and social media, we continue to support technology companies, including Alphabet. “We have repeatedly called on the company to conduct its business with integrity and transparency,” the AGs said.
“We expect YouTube to recognize the serious harm its notices cause and promptly remove or modify them. You must exercise your authority,” the letter warns.
YouTube spokesperson Ivy Choi told Fox News Digital: “As part of our commitment to providing people with quality health content, we are publishing an information panel on abortion that includes resources from the National Library of Medicine (NLM).” he said in a statement. . ”
“These information panels appear below videos and above search results related to the topic of abortion, regardless of perspective. We strive to keep our information panels up-to-date and provide information about abortion. The panel now better reflects the latest information from NLM,” said Choi. He said.
