YouTube starts verifying health workers in the UK

YouTube has launched a verification system for healthcare workers in the UK as it battles disinformation online.

In 2022, health videos were viewed more than three billion times in the UK alone on the video-sharing platform.

Doctors, nurses and psychologists have been applying for the scheme since June and must meet rigorous criteria set by the tech giant to be eligible.

Successful applicants will have a badge under their name identifying them as a genuine, licensed healthcare worker.

But YouTubers have warned the system is only meant for education purposes, not to replace medical advice from your GP.

Vishaal Virani, who leads health content for YouTube, said it was important simply due to the sheer number of people accessing healthcare information on the video-sharing platform.

"Whether we like it or not, whether we want it or not, whether the health industry is pushing for it or not, people are accessing health information online," he told the BBC.

"We need to do as good a job as possible to bring rigour to the content that they are subsequently consuming when they do start their care journey online."

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Source: BBC News, 8 September 2023