YouTube have reviewed the SSSniperWolf doxxing case, and have changed their policy to protect her and her channel on the platform.
In a recent turn of events, YouTube has come under fire for its perceived favoritism towards controversial YouTuber SSSniperWolf, real name Alia Shelesh. Despite being embroiled in multiple scandals, the platform has chosen to defend her, suggesting that she is more a victim of harassment and cyberbullying than a perpetrator.
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SSSniperWolf’s history of controversy is well-documented. In a past report we revealed a disturbing 2014 incident where she allegedly enticed young boys to twerk in exchange for explicit images. This act of commercial sexualization of minors raised eyebrows, yet YouTube’s response, or lack thereof, was telling.
The recent doxxing incident involving fellow YouTuber Jackfilms added fuel to the fire. Jackfilms detailed an unsettling event where SSSniperWolf appeared uninvited outside his home, filmed the location, and shared it with her vast Instagram following. This blatant invasion of privacy left Jackfilms and his family feeling violated. Yet, YouTube’s silence on the matter, even as other prominent YouTubers rallied behind Jackfilms, has been deafening.
YouTube’s decision to seemingly shield SSSniperWolf, even granting her immunity from DMCA requests and other reports, has left many in the creator community disillusioned. It paints a picture of a platform that appears to play favorites, overlooking the actions of certain creators while holding others to a different standard.
Alia Has DMCA Immunity
A DMCA (Digital Millennium Copyright Act) takedown request is a formal notification to a platform, like YouTube, that copyrighted content has been uploaded without permission from the copyright holder. The platform is then obligated to promptly remove the infringing material to avoid legal liability.
On YouTube, the system is structured such that if a creator receives three DMCA takedowns, their channel is typically terminated. However, in the case of SSSniperWolf, the usual protocol seems to have been sidestepped.
Despite receiving multiple DMCA requests on a single video, YouTube has allowed her to merely delete sections of her videos containing copyrighted material, leaving her account unaffected. This is in stark contrast to the usual stringent actions taken by the platform.
Furthermore, it’s been observed that Alia “SSSniperWolf” Shelesh often deletes videos that fall under 8 minutes in length, presumably because they don’t generate substantial ad revenue. This tactic, combined with the alleged use of copyrighted content, suggests a pattern of profiting off stolen content before strategically removing it to avoid repercussions.
YouTube Ignore Their Own Rules
YouTube’s approach to off-site behavior has come under scrutiny, particularly in the case of Russell Brand. Despite not being charged with any crime and being innocent in the eyes of the law, Brand’s YouTube channel faced demonetization due to unproven allegations. These allegations, which were anonymously reported in a sensationalist blog, pertained to events that supposedly occurred long before Brand even started his YouTube channel.
This decision by YouTube raises questions about the fairness and consistency of the platform’s policies. While it’s essential for platforms to ensure the safety and well-being of their community, it’s equally crucial to ensure that actions taken against creators are based on concrete evidence and not mere allegations. The demonetization of Brand’s channel based on unverified claims from an event that predates his YouTube presence highlights the challenges and potential pitfalls of platforms acting on off-site behavior.
The broader tech industry’s stance on off-site behavior varies, with some platforms like Twitch banning users for behavior away from their sites. However, in Brand’s case, the repercussions he faced on YouTube seem disproportionate given the lack of concrete evidence and the timing of the alleged events. Such decisions underscore the need for platforms to strike a balance between protecting their community and ensuring that creators are treated fairly and justly.
As SSSniperWolf continues to produce content, seemingly unfazed and even disabling comments to avoid criticism, the broader YouTube community is left grappling with questions about the platform’s commitment to fairness and accountability. The saga underscores the challenges faced by social media platforms in navigating the complex landscape of creator rights, community concerns, and corporate interests.