YouTube channels disseminating fake anti-Labour videos have garnered over 1.2 billion views in 2025, according to research from the non-profit group Reset Tech. These channels, exploiting political division in the UK, have created more than 56,000 videos and attracted around 5.3 million subscribers. The study highlights a concerning trend where opportunists use artificial intelligence to generate content that profits from misinformation.
The investigation uncovered more than 150 channels promoting anti-Labour narratives, particularly targeting Labour leader Keir Starmer. The channels employ alarmist language, AI-generated scripts, and British voiceovers to increase viewer engagement. Starmer was specifically mentioned in video titles or descriptions approximately 15,600 times.
According to Reset Tech, this network of anonymous channels aligns with a global trend of synthetic propaganda on social media platforms. The research points to the rise of affordable AI tools that enable creators to quickly produce divisive content for profit. One channel, Britain News-night, falsely claimed that Starmer and Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves were facing arrest. Another channel, TheUKPoliticalBrief, promoted videos claiming to reveal the “explosive truth” about immigration-related crime.
YouTube has removed some of these channels during its content moderation checks. However, Reset Tech reported that many channels had generated numerous similar videos without facing immediate consequences. After the Guardian approached YouTube regarding the findings, all 150 channels identified in the study were taken down.
The research identified similar channels operating in other European languages, mapping a total of 420 problematic channels across Europe. Some of these channels are believed to be linked to Russian-speaking creators. While the UK-based channels appear to be primarily driven by local opportunists, there is concern over their potential impact on public trust and political discourse.
Concerns have been raised within the Labour Party about the implications of such misinformation. 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 by bad faith foreign state actors and those seeking to profit from misinformation.” The spokesperson emphasized the need for the government to collaborate with online platforms to combat these threats to democratic processes.
Dylan Sparks, UK director of Reset Tech, criticized YouTube for allowing “malicious actors” to spread synthetic news. He highlighted the challenges posed by the platform’s monetization and content moderation systems, which permit the circulation of low-cost, AI-generated content that disrupts political debate. He warned that the vulnerabilities exposed by this specific network could be exploited by any hostile entity to further an agenda.
In response to the findings, a YouTube spokesperson reiterated the platform’s commitment to removing spam and deceptive practices. “We enforce our policies consistently, regardless of political viewpoint expressed, or how the content is generated,” the spokesperson noted. YouTube is currently collaborating with Reset Tech to address these concerns and improve its systems, which prominently feature authoritative news content in search results and recommendations.
The platform has taken significant steps to combat harmful content, removing over 2.1 million channels for violating community guidelines. In light of these developments, UK ministers have established an online advertising task force to explore potential actions against the monetization of misleading content. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, the need for robust measures to protect public discourse and democratic integrity remains paramount.
