YouTube says Sydney massacre ‘crisis actor’ video can stay online

A Google executive stated at an Australian government inquiry that a YouTube video falsely accusing a Sydney massacre survivor of being a "crisis actor" will remain online. Rachel Lord, Google Australia manager, testified that the video met YouTube's standards. The inquiry is investigating the spread of antisemitism in Australia, including a December attack on a Sydney Hanukkah celebration that resulted in 15 deaths. Survivor Arsen Ostrovsky had complained about the video, which falsely claimed a wound he sustained was staged with makeup, after an image of his injury was posted online.

A Google executive testified at a government inquiry in Australia that a YouTube video falsely claiming a Sydney massacre survivor was a "crisis actor" met the platform's standards and would remain online. Google Australia manager Rachel Lord stated the decision to keep the video, which alleged the survivor was an "intelligence asset" and the massacre a "false flag operation," was reviewed at senior levels. The survivor, Arsen Ostrovsky, had complained about the video after being targeted online following an antisemitic attack in December. The lawyer leading the inquiry's evidence called the video's continued presence a "serious deficiency" in YouTube's hate speech guidelines. Ostrovsky had previously told the inquiry he faced online hate and AI manipulation since suffering a minor head wound during the massacre.