Key Takeaways:
- Over 150 YouTube channels have been detected spreading fake, anti-Labour videos, amassing over 1.2 billion views in 2025.
- The channels promote anti-Labour narratives, fake, and inflammatory accusations about Keir Starmer, with some using AI-generated content to attract hits.
- The network of anonymous channels includes alarmist rhetoric, AI scripts, and British narrators to attract views.
- YouTube has removed all 150 channels after being approached by the Guardian, but Reset Tech says some channels had created tens or hundreds of similar videos without being deplatformed.
- The research found similar channels operating in other European countries, targeting other politicians or political issues, with a total of 420 problematic channels mapped.
Introduction to the Issue
The rise of fake news on YouTube has become a significant concern, with over 150 channels detected spreading fake, anti-Labour videos, amassing over 1.2 billion views in 2025. These channels promote anti-Labour narratives, fake, and inflammatory accusations about Keir Starmer, with some using AI-generated content to attract hits. The network of anonymous channels includes alarmist rhetoric, AI scripts, and British narrators to attract views. This phenomenon is not limited to the UK, as similar channels have been found operating in other European countries, targeting other politicians or political issues.
The Scale of the Problem
The study, conducted by Reset Tech, a non-profit group, found that the channels have accumulated 5.3m subscribers and have created more than 56,000 videos, with a total of almost 1.2bn views in 2025. The prime minister, Keir Starmer, is personally targeted, with his name being mentioned in the video title or description 15,600 times. The channels use cheap AI tools to produce synthetic propaganda, which can be deployed to make a quick profit from divisive topics. This has raised concerns about the spread of misinformation and the potential impact on public trust in democratic institutions.
Examples of Fake News Channels
Some examples of the fake news channels include Britain News-night, which talked about Starmer and Reeves facing arrest, and TheUKPoliticalBrief, which touted videos on the “explosive truth” about immigrant crime and marches on Westminster. Another channel, UK NewsCore, focused on how Nigel Farage was ousting Starmer, and claimed the prime minister was “sacked live” and thrown out of parliament. Other videos featured bizarre, fabricated stories about a row between the royal family and the government. One channel, Gold Up!, said the dispute had left Starmer “melting down on live TV”. These channels were removed by YouTube after being approached by the Guardian, but Reset Tech says some channels had created tens or hundreds of similar videos without being deplatformed.
Concerns and Reactions
The content has caused concern inside Labour, with a spokesperson stating that “the rise of fake news online is a serious threat to our democracy”. The spokesperson emphasized that the public will be rightly alarmed that democratically elected leaders and institutions are being undermined by bad faith foreign state actors and those seeking to profit from misinformation. The government is stepping up its efforts to work with online platforms to tackle this scourge on free and fair democracy. However, Dylan Sparks, UK director of Reset Tech, called for YouTube to take swifter action, stating that “malicious actors are permitted by YouTube to spread synthetic ‘news’ that disrupts political debate in the UK, while also earning revenue from it”.
YouTube’s Response
A YouTube spokesperson said that “spam and deceptive practices that try to take advantage of the YouTube community are not allowed on the platform, which is why the channels flagged by the Guardian have all been removed”. The spokesperson emphasized that YouTube enforces its policies consistently, regardless of political viewpoint expressed, or how the content is generated. YouTube is now working with Reset Tech over its findings and has removed more than 2.1m channels for violating its community guidelines. The platform also said that its systems prominently feature authoritative news content on the YouTube homepage, in search results, and through recommendations.
Conclusion and Future Steps
The spread of fake news on YouTube is a significant concern that requires immediate attention. The removal of the 150 channels is a step in the right direction, but more needs to be done to address the root causes of the problem. Reset Tech’s research highlights the need for YouTube to take swifter action to remove malicious content and to invest more in addressing the risks introduced by the rapid spread of AI. The government’s formation of an online advertising taskforce is also a positive step, but more needs to be done to address the advertising-based monetisation of harmful and misleading content. Ultimately, it is essential to ensure that social media platforms prioritize the removal of malicious content over revenue generation to protect public trust in democratic institutions.
