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YouTube deleting comments who criticize their hiding of the dislike count (youtube.com)

807 points by jafitc · 1751 days ago · 565 comments on HN

Article summary

The article discusses YouTube's decision to hide dislike counts, and how this move is being met with criticism from users. Some users are testing whether dislikes are still visible in certain scenarios, such as incognito mode. The removal of this feature is seen as a form of censorship by some. YouTube's actions are being scrutinized as an example of a private company exerting control over online speech.

Main themes

  • corporate power and censorship
  • online free speech
  • YouTube's dominance
  • alternative platforms
  • content creation and monetization
  • user engagement and behavior

What commenters say

  • The removal of dislike counts on YouTube is a form of tyranny and an overreach of corporate power.
  • Private companies have the right to make decisions about their platforms, including removing features like dislike counts.
  • The lack of viable alternatives to YouTube means that users are effectively forced to accept the platform's decisions.
  • The removal of dislike counts will lead to a decrease in engagement on the platform as users are no longer able to gauge the quality of content.
  • YouTube's decision is not a significant issue, as users can still choose to use or not use the platform.
  • The concentration of power in large corporations like YouTube poses a threat to free speech and open discussion.
  • Alternative platforms, such as TikTok, may eventually compete with YouTube, but currently cater to different types of content.
  • The shift towards shorter-form content on platforms like TikTok may ultimately change the way people consume video content.