YouTube channels promoting false, anti-Labour content have garnered over 1.2 billion views in 2025, highlighting a troubling trend of misinformation in UK politics. A report from the non-profit group Reset Tech reveals that more than 150 channels have emerged in the past year, using AI-generated content to exploit political divisions and profit from them.
The study, reviewed by the Guardian, indicates these channels have attracted 5.3 million subscribers and produced upwards of 56,000 videos. Many of these videos feature sensationalist narratives and outright fabrications targeting prominent Labour figures, particularly Keir Starmer, whose name appeared in video titles or descriptions 15,600 times.
AI-Driven Misinformation Campaigns
The content produced by these channels ranges from exaggerated claims to entirely fabricated stories. For instance, one channel, Britain News-night, falsely suggested that Starmer and fellow Labour politician Rachel Reeves were facing arrest. Another channel, TheUKPoliticalBrief, claimed to reveal the “explosive truth” about immigration-related crime. Yet another, UK NewsCore, made unsubstantiated allegations about Starmer being “sacked live” in Parliament.
According to Reset Tech, the proliferation of inexpensive AI tools has enabled creators to generate misleading content at a low cost, aiming to profit from contentious political subjects. The channels often utilize alarmist language and British narrators to attract more viewers, contributing to a cycle of misinformation that poses risks to public trust in democratic processes.
Impact and Response from Labour
The rise of these channels has sparked significant concern within the Labour Party. A spokesperson stated, “The rise of fake news online is a serious threat to our democracy. The public will be rightly alarmed that democratically elected leaders and institutions are being undermined.” They emphasized the need for tech companies to take their responsibilities seriously and remove harmful content swiftly.
Dylan Sparks, UK director of Reset Tech, criticized YouTube for allowing malicious actors to spread synthetic news while profiting from it. He pointed out that the platform’s current content moderation and monetization systems are inadequate, allowing similar channels to operate unchecked. “This specific network focuses on the prime minister and Labour government, but the same loopholes could be exploited by any hostile actor to push an agenda,” he said.
YouTube has removed several channels flagged by the Guardian and stated that it enforces its policies without bias towards political viewpoints. The platform has taken down over 2.1 million channels for violating community guidelines and is collaborating with Reset Tech to address these issues.
As misinformation continues to proliferate online, government ministers in the UK have formed an online advertising taskforce aimed at curbing the monetization of harmful content. The taskforce seeks to explore strategies to mitigate the influence of misleading information on public opinion and electoral processes.
With the landscape of online media evolving rapidly, experts agree that tech platforms must enhance their efforts to combat misinformation and ensure the integrity of democratic discourse. The situation underscores the necessity for vigilance in navigating the increasingly complex world of digital information.
