Lib Dems Demand Ofcom Regulate YouTube Ads Amid Children’s Rising Viewership

The Liberal Democrats are urging the UK government to grant Ofcom enhanced regulatory powers over YouTube advertising to protect consumers from misleading and harmful content. They argue that YouTube, now the UK's second most-watched media platform and dominant among children, operates under a 'lighter touch' advertising regime compared to traditional TV and radio, where ads are pre-approved by industry bodies. The party highlights alarming scams on YouTube, including deepfake adverts impersonating public figures like Martin Lewis to promote fraudulent schemes, along with false product claims and fake competitions, which often go unchecked until complaints are filed. They call for YouTube ads to be vetted similarly to traditional broadcast ads, with pre-clearance and stronger enforcement, to close the current regulatory loophole and prevent unscrupulous advertisers from exploiting consumers. Ofcom's recent findings emphasize YouTube's growing influence, reinforcing the need for more stringent oversight and tougher penalties for platforms that fail to protect users. The Liberal Democrats emphasize that the government must act promptly to end this two-tier system and safeguard online users from the proliferation of harmful advertising content.