youtube

Extremist images 'fingerprinted' by tech firms

The four tech firms plan to create a database that contains "digital fingerprints" of the content.

The database will be used to screen uploads in order to spot violent or extremist material before it is shared.

Eventually, the database will be made available to other firms keen to police this content.

"There is no place for content that promotes terrorism on our hosted consumer services," said a spokesman for Twitter in a statement.

He said the initiative was aimed at the "most extreme and egregious" images and videos.

Police called after 'pranksters' Trollstation invade The X Factor stage

Honey G had finished her performance and was getting feedback from the judges when a man ran up behind her and tried to touch her.

The group Trollstation say they were behind the stunt.

"There was a stage invasion by four men, with one further person in support," a spokesman for the show said not long after the incident.

"All five had been in the audience.

"They were spoken to by police and security and have now been removed from the studio."

YouTube adds HDR technology to make videos more vibrant

High dynamic range (HDR) clips feature a wider range of colours and a greater number of brightness levels between black and white. This boosts contrast and can make images seem more detailed.

However, users will require compatible screens to see the improvements.

And HDR-encoded videos may also look odd when played back in normal mode.

Tags: 

YouTube's seven-year stand-off ends

The Google-owned video service had been at odds with Gema - a German rights body representing musicians, composers and publishers - since 2009.

The disagreement had affected clips in which the artists appeared as well as those that used their songs in the background.

Payments will now be made, but neither side has disclosed the terms.

Google's Content ID system means that clips flagged as containing Gema-protected tracks can now have adverts automatically added to them to recompense the songs' creators.

Tags: 

Mobile and Youtube boost Google parent Alphabet profits

Revenue in the third quarter rose to $22.5bn (£18.5bn), from $18.7bn a year earlier.

Net income for the quarter was $5bn, up from $4bn a year ago.

Alphabet, along with Facebook, dominates the fast-growing mobile advertising market.

Google's total ad revenue rose 18.1% to $19.82bn in the third quarter, accounting for more of its revenues.

"We had a great third quarter," Alphabet chief financial officer Ruth Porat said in the earnings release.

YouTube launches scheme to offer rewards to users who report videos

They will reward so-called Heroes for reporting videos and comments they believe violate community guidelines.

But the plan has been criticised by a number of YouTube stars and viewers.

YouTube already lets people report abusive or offensive content found on the site.

But now they'll be able to earn rewards for reporting others and some critics say that will encourage "snitching".

Reward include access to the "heroes dashboard", workshops and video chats.

YouTuber Nepenthez charged over video game gambling site

Craig Douglas and Dylan Rigby, who are both from Essex, are charged with promoting a lottery and advertising unlawful gambling.

Mr Douglas makes gaming videos on YouTube under the pseudonym Nepenthez.

He is also charged with inviting children to gamble.

The two men appeared at Birmingham Magistrates' Court. The case has been adjourned until 14 October.

The Gambling Commission, which brought the prosecution, has been looking into the rise of video game gambling.

YouTube launches community tab to allow gifs and live video

The community tab "gives you a new, simple way to engage with your viewers and express yourself beyond video," according to YouTube.

The company's been secretly testing the features with a small group of video creators.

The updated functions will be available beyond the test group at some point in the "months ahead".

Tags: 

YouTube is still 'not paying enough' to British musicians

UK Music claims the site is the most popular way people consume music in the country.

Chief executive Jo Dipple said: "I don't think YouTube pays enough for our brilliant music that they have on their platform."

YouTube says it's paid out over £2.3bn to the music industry so far.

UK Music has criticised YouTube as part of its annual Measuring Music report, which looks at what British music is worth to the UK economy.

How to make a viral video on YouTube

Australian studio The Woolshed Co. has revealed it's behind eight of the biggest viral video hits of the past two years.

The two-year experiment creating fake videos — part-funded by Screen Australia — aimed to figure out exactly what makes one go viral.

We asked The Woolshed Co. managing director Dave Christison to break down what went into making their videos international smash hits.

Tags: