Big Tech's Misinformation Landscape!
The other day, I came across a highly convincing YouTube video that left me stunned—it was spreading entirely false information about a widely discussed issue: Trump’s tariff policy. It explicitly stated that the United States Supreme Court has ruled against the Trump administration’s tariff policies, effectively striking them down.
Supreme Court Strikes Down Trump Tariffs: A Defining Moment for America and Beyond!
This was followed by another similar video, with the same claim.
Supreme Court Ends Trump Tariffs: U.S. Trade Policy Shaken!You may watch the above two videos providing blatant misinformation and decide what conclusions you draw out of them, starting with the title of each. Now, please realize that both these YouTube videos are discussing a hypothetical event that has not yet happened!
The Actual Situation
On August 29 the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Washington, DC ruled that most of Donald Trump's tariffs are illegal, undercutting the Republican president's use of the levies as a key international economic policy tool. However, the court allowed the tariffs to remain in place through October 14 to give the Trump administration a chance to file an appeal with the US Supreme Court. The Supreme Court is currently reviewing this appeal, and a final ruling may not be issued for several months.
For more information, watch this video:
Trump appeals to US Supreme Court to rule on legality of tariffs
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| Getty Images |
The Hypothetical Ruling
In a hypothetical scenario with significant implications for global trade, the Supreme Court has reportedly struck down Trump-era tariffs. This landmark ruling is being hailed as a defining moment, potentially reshaping the trajectory of U.S. trade policy and America’s economic relations with its global partners.
This decision, if it were to occur, would deliver a major blow to Trump’s signature trade strategy, which heavily relied on tariffs to exert pressure on foreign nations. While supporters of the tariffs argued they were essential to protect American industries, critics maintained that they backfired by increasing costs for U.S. consumers and farmers.
As the hypothetical dust settles on such a ruling, it is posited that this Supreme Court decision could profoundly influence not only America’s trade future but also the broader balance of power in international commerce. The world would undoubtedly be watching closely to observe how the U.S. adapts in an increasingly multipolar economy.
It is crucial to note, however, that both YouTube videos discussing this event are analyzing a hypothetical situation that has not yet transpired. While the analytical depth of these videos regarding this hypothetical event is commendable and potentially beneficial for public understanding, the overall presentation is misleading. They propagate the inaccurate notion that the U.S. Supreme Court has already issued a landmark ruling striking down Trump-era tariffs.
Synthetic Content
Upon examining the metadata embedded in the video descriptions more closely, it becomes evident that the content is classified as altered or synthetic—something that casual viewers would likely remain unaware of.
Synthetic content refers to any media—such as images, video, audio, or text—that is artificially created or manipulated using AI and voice cloning technologies rather than being recorded directly from real-world events. Examples include AI-generated art, deepfake videos, voice cloned audios, and text generated by large language models. You can see numerous such YouTube videos that portray controversial political subjects, often presented in a style that mimics the voices or personas of well-known celebrities. Here are a few examples:
Steve Harvey, Oprah Winfrey, Jordan Peterson
Upon examining the metadata embedded in the video descriptions more closely, it becomes evident that the content is classified as altered or synthetic—something that casual viewers would likely remain unaware of.
Synthetic content refers to any media—such as images, video, audio, or text—that is artificially created or manipulated using AI and voice cloning technologies rather than being recorded directly from real-world events. Examples include AI-generated art, deepfake videos, voice cloned audios, and text generated by large language models. You can see numerous such YouTube videos that portray controversial political subjects, often presented in a style that mimics the voices or personas of well-known celebrities. Here are a few examples:
Steve Harvey, Oprah Winfrey, Jordan Peterson
Ethical Responsibility
This rapidly advancing technology raises ethical concerns, especially regarding its potential for deception and misinformation. This situation raises a widely debated question about the ethical responsibilities of tech companies in the modern world, specifically concerning the role of platforms versus publishers.
Platform vs. Publisher: A Crucial Distinction
A Publisher, such as a traditional newspaper or book company, holds legal and editorial responsibility for every piece of content it disseminates. Publishers employ editors who meticulously fact-check, vet, and approve content before it is made public. Due to this direct control and oversight, they are held liable for any false or defamatory information they publish.
A Platform, exemplified by services like YouTube, Facebook, or Twitter, primarily provides the infrastructure that enables users to create and share their own content. These platforms are generally granted legal protection, which shields them from liability for content posted by their users. The rationale behind this protection is that it would be practically impossible for platform providers to review the immense volume of content uploaded (for instance, hundreds of hours of video are uploaded to YouTube every minute). Holding them fully responsible for every piece of user-generated content would, in essence, cripple the entire system of user-generated content.
Google, and by extension its subsidiary YouTube, operates fundamentally as a Platform, not as a Publisher. They do not create or endorse the specific content found in the videos. Instead, their role is to provide the service that allows creators to upload and share these videos.
Nevertheless, even while operating as a platform, Google recognizes its responsibility to combat harmful content. Its stated policies aim to achieve a delicate balance between upholding free expression and ensuring user safety. It is also important to acknowledge that users often perceive YouTube's platform and its content, particularly through search results and information panels, as authoritative sources for news and health-related information.
Users' Responsibility
While Google's hosting of such hypothetical videos (like the two initially mentioned) may not constitute a direct policy violation, users bear a significant responsibility in navigating the digital landscape. It is imperative for us as users to recognize that YouTube’s recommendation algorithm, while designed to personalize content, can inadvertently guide us into dangerous "rabbit holes" filled with misinformation.
Equally critical is understanding the profound impact this misinformation can have on Artificial Intelligence systems. When false or misleading content is fed into AI systems, it contaminates their data sources. Over time, this contamination leads to increasingly unreliable outputs from AI tools, which, in turn, can further misinform an even wider audience. Therefore, discerning credible information and being aware of the sources of content are paramount in both human and artificial intelligence consumption.
Summary
Synthetic content is media created or altered using AI and voice cloning tech—not captured from real-world events. Think deepfake videos, voice-cloned speeches, AI-generated art, and text spun by large language models. Some even mimic celebrities discussing controversial issues, blurring the line between fact and fabrication. The danger? Casual viewers may never realize they’re being misled. As this tech evolves, so do the ethical challenges around misinformation and digital manipulation. Stay sharp. Stay skeptical.
Additions Dated 09 Sep 2025, Tue
It appears that Google and YouTube are more interested in spreading feel-good fiction than delivering authentic news—so long as it boosts their advertising revenue.
See the following four YouTube videos informing us that Ibrahim Traoré, aged 37, the interim president of Burkina Faso since 2022, and currently the second youngest head of state in the world, have recently signed several mega-million dollar deals with India.
Once again, Google / YouTube disappoints its loyal audience, offering little clarity or support about the authenticity of the news when it's most needed.
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