YouTube Says It Rarely Requires Content Creators to Agree Not to Criticize Company

Google's YouTube requires nondisparagement of the company in less than 0.01 percent of its promotional agreements with content creators and the like, a spokeswoman said, in response to the Content Creators Coalition seeking congressional hearings on the practice (see 1801290039). Typical contracts for music creators to monetize their works on the platform lack such mandates, she said Tuesday. "In rare instances when we align our brand more closely to a specific creator tied to new original content or one-off promotional work, we may ask them to sign an agreement that includes general language around conduct. This type of clause is often used in the entertainment industry and is intended to protect companies, not so much from the words an individual may express, but more so their actions, especially in today's times."