YouTube’s AI Push Coincides with Alarms Over Ad Practices and Secret Tweaking

YouTube’s AI Push Coincides with Alarms Over Ad Practices and Secret Tweaking

RMN News Report Highlights:

By Rakesh Raman
New Delhi | September 17, 2025

YouTube is accelerating its push into artificial intelligence, unveiling a suite of new tools for creators, even as it faces mounting scrutiny over its aggressive advertising practices and a controversial report revealing its secret use of AI to subtly alter videos without user consent.

AI Tools Unveiled for Creators

At its Made on YouTube event on Tuesday, September 16, the Google-owned platform announced new AI-powered features designed to help creators leverage technology for video production. Many of these tools, which can generate backgrounds and special effects, are specifically aimed at YouTube Shorts creators, signaling a deepened commitment to social media-style content.

Secret AI Video Tweaking Revealed

While YouTube publicly promotes its new AI tools, a BBC report from August 2025 has raised concerns about the company’s unannounced use of the technology. According to the report, YouTube has been “secretly using artificial intelligence (AI) to tweak people’s videos without letting them know or asking permission.”

The changes are subtle, with “wrinkles in shirts seem more defined” and “skin is sharper in some places and smoother in others.” Some disturbed creators noted that these barely visible alterations give their content an “unwelcome AI-generated feeling.” YouTube did not respond to the BBC’s questions about whether users will be given a choice regarding these AI tweaks.

RMN Foundation Warns of Infringing YouTube Ad Practices

Meanwhile, the RMN Foundation, a consumer rights organization, has raised serious alarms about YouTube’s excessive advertising practices, arguing they violate fundamental consumer rights. A recent study by RMN Research found that YouTube’s frequent, unskippable, and mid-roll ads create significant barriers to seamless information consumption, infringing on a consumer’s right to access information freely.

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“Consumers have a right to access information without being bombarded by intrusive ads,” said Rakesh Raman, founder of the RMN Foundation. “YouTube’s practices are not just annoying—they infringe on basic consumer protections under global and national laws.”

The research highlights growing user frustration, with many feeling bombarded by ads that disrupt their ability to engage with educational, cultural, or entertainment content. The RMN Foundation’s findings argue that this ad-heavy approach violates the United Nations Guidelines for Consumer Protection (UNGCP), which emphasizes fair treatment and access to essential services, including digital platforms.

Coercive Tactics and Legal Scrutiny

The RMN Foundation’s study notes that YouTube’s practices could be seen as unfair or deceptive under laws like the U.S. Federal Trade Commission Act (Section 5) and raise questions about compliance with the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The report highlights how YouTube’s countermeasures against ad-blockers and the high cost of its Premium service create a coercive environment, forcing users to either endure disruptive ads or pay for an ad-free experience, disproportionately affecting low-income consumers.

The RMN Foundation urges YouTube to align its practices with consumer protection laws. The organization encourages consumers to join the RMN Consumer Rights Network to report their experiences and support advocacy for stronger digital consumer rights.