YouTube’s automated system mistakenly shut down a streamer’s broadcast after incorrectly identifying a microphone as a gun.
Towards the end of 2025, many creators on the platform began raising concerns about errors in how AI was being used to enforce rules.
Tech creator Enderman reported that many YouTube channels, some with large subscriber counts, were suddenly shut down. He believes these terminations were caused by automated systems and that no humans were involved in the decision-making process.
Another video creator, SpooknJukes, experienced restrictions on their content when the platform flagged their laugh as “graphic content.” The video was only able to earn revenue again after the laugh was removed.
VTuber Ember Paradox shared that a video of hers, where she reacted to Brandon Herrera’s ‘Darwin Awards’ video, was taken down by the platform for violating its rules around child safety. Interestingly, the original ‘Darwin Awards’ video remained online.
Another creator has accused YouTube of unexpectedly ending their livestream due to a strange mistake.
YouTube mistakes microphone for firearm
During a live discussion about Supergirl, Disney, and other pop culture topics on December 10th, the HoldMyDualShock team had their stream unexpectedly cut off.
“Youtube’s AI falsely flagged us,” they replied to a viewer on X.
thanks for the heads up. Youtube’s AI falsely flagged us
— HoldMyDualShock (@HoldMyDualShock) December 11, 2025
Following this, HoldMyDualShock revealed exactly why they had been taken down: a microphone.
“PLEASE ADDRESS THIS. Our livestream was taken down for holding a ‘firearm’… its a microphone,” they blasted, tagging YouTube Support in the process.
YouTube sent the creators a screenshot of an email stating their content broke the platform’s rules about firearms.
YouTube doesn’t allow live streams that show someone with a firearm – whether they’re holding it, using it, or carrying it. Breaking this rule could get your streaming privileges revoked.
We need help! YouTube took down our livestream, claiming we had a “firearm” on screen – it was actually just a microphone. We’ve reached out to @YouTube and @YouTubeCreators to resolve this.
— HoldMyDualShock (@HoldMyDualShock) December 11, 2025
YouTube can close your channel or account if you repeatedly break its rules (Community Guidelines or Terms of Service). A single, serious violation, or a channel entirely focused on breaking the rules, can also lead to termination, according to YouTube’s policies.
YouTube has stated it’s looking into the matter, and HoldMyDualShock hasn’t commented further online. This incident is part of a growing number of strange moderation issues happening on the platform.
YouTube explained that it removed 12 million channels between January and September 2025, adding that it had already removed a significant number – 20.5 million – in the last quarter of 2023 alone.
HoldMyDualShock isn’t alone in experiencing errors with AI-powered object recognition. Just a few months ago, police rushed to Kenwood High School in Baltimore after an AI system mistakenly identified a bag of Doritos as a gun, leading to a scare involving a 16-year-old student.
A Florida middle school briefly went into lockdown when its AI-powered security system mistakenly identified a student with a clarinet as a potential threat.
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2025-12-16 01:49