Manhattan DA calls on YouTube to take action against ghost gun videos

NEW YORK (PIX11) -- Law enforcement officials in New York City on Wednesday called on YouTube to change its algorithm to prevent videos on how to build ghost guns from being seen by children.

"We have a video then of a 3D-printed Glock," said Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Bonnie Seok.

According to the NYPD and the Manhattan District Attorney's Office, YouTube routinely recommends and often automatically plays step-by-step videos detailing how to build 3D-printed ghost guns to children who watch unrelated video game clips.

They say this happens without ever searching for the term “ghost gun."

"We see more videos being suggested just four minutes after searching 'Call of Duty' videos," said Seok.

It’s a reality that scares East Harlem resident Arlene. She lives in the same apartment building where last fall PIX11 News exclusively reported an NYPD bust of a 3D printing gun operation allegedly run out of an apartment-based day care.

"No, that shouldn't be pushed on any kid. That's dangerous. I think they shouldn't be learning that on no video," said Arlene.

Arlene said she’s in favor of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg and NYPD Inspector Courtney Nilan’s new call for YouTube to change its algorithm.

"About 10 minutes into the searching, you're going to come upon very specific videos to build ghost guns, and very specific different kinds of 3D-printed firearms. It's petrifying, not only for myself, but it should be for citizens at large," said Nilan.

Bragg added, "This is not some accident. This is not some byproduct of technology. This is an algorithm that is driving people, in particular our youth, from a few clicks of watching a video game to being able to build guns to then in turn walking around with ghost guns on our street, and then in our office because we charged them with a crime."

Bragg said YouTube’s algorithm constitutes a direct threat to public safety in New York City.

Katie Paul, the director at the Tech Transparency Project, which last year examined YouTube video protocol, argues this is not a matter of protecting the company’s right to free speech.

"In many cases, the company, YouTube, was actually profiting from pushing that content by running ads against it," said Paul.

A spokesperson for YouTube, which is owned by Google, told PIX11 News that YouTube does allow videos that show firearms in “a safe environment like a shooting range or clear open area," and last year removed 3.5 million videos that violated YouTube policies.

The spokesperson went on to say: “Our policies strictly prohibit content instructing viewers how to make ghost guns or 3D printed guns, and we’ll carefully review any videos the Manhattan DA’s office shares with us. We recognize our work in this area is never done and we remain committed to removing any content that violates our policies.”