Fabricated YouTube Videos Targeting the Labor Party Amass 1.2bn Views in 2025

The Guardian reported that YouTube channels spreading fake news targeting anti-Labor videos racked up more than one billion views this year. A study found that more than 150 anonymous channels used AI tools to circulate fabricated stories about PM Keir Starmer.

Anti-Labour Propaganda Amasses 1.2bn Views in 2025

A study seen by the Guardian found that YouTube channels spreading fake, anti-Labor videos amassed more than one billion views in 2025, as fake news spreaders use AI-generated content to profit from political division in the U.K.

Researchers identified more than 150 channels in the last year promoting anti-Labor stories, including false and inflammatory claims about U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

According to the study, these channels attracted about 5.3 million subscribers and produced more than 56,000 videos, generating nearly 1.2 billion views in 2025. 

Starmer has been a central target of the campaign, with his name appearing in video titles or descriptions 15,600 times, according to the Guardian's report.

Reset Tech, the non-profit organization behind the research, said the channels formed part of a global trend of synthetic propaganda on YouTube. The group pointed to the growing availability of low-cost AI tools that enable creators to quickly profit from divisive political content.

One channel, “Britain News-night,” claimed that Starmer and Rachel Reeves faced arrest. Another, “TheUKPoliticalBrief,” promoted videos touting the “explosive truth” about immigrant crime and alleged marches on Westminster.

“The UK NewsCore” channel focused on claims that Nigel Farage was ousting Starmer, falsely alleging that the prime minister was “sacked live” and expelled from parliament.

Other videos pushed false stories, including claims of a dispute between the royal family and the government. One channel, “Gold Up!,” alleged the row left Starmer “melting down on live TV.”

The research also identified similar channels operating in different languages, such as German, French, Spanish and Polish, targeting other politicians and political issues. Overall, the study identified 420 problematic channels active across Europe.

The group said the channels appeared to be driven mainly by opportunistic creators seeking to profit from political division, particularly around issues such as immigration, rather than by foreign political actors.

Reset Tech Urges YouTube to Act Swiftly

Dylan Sparks, U.K. director of Reset Tech, urged YouTube to act more quickly, warning that the platform allows “malicious actors” to spread “synthetic news” that distorts political debate in the U.K. in search of revenue.

He said low-cost, AI-generated content goes viral on YouTube without detection, exposing clear weaknesses in the platform’s monetization and content moderation systems. Sparks noted that while the network targets the prime minister and the Labor government, the same loopholes could enable any actor to promote an agenda.

He added that because social media companies profit from engagement, their business models create an inherent conflict between enforcing platform rules and limiting the spread of harmful content that drives revenue. Sparks also warned that the rapid growth of AI has introduced new online risks, calling on platforms to respond more quickly and invest more to address them.

A YouTube spokesperson stated that the platform does not permit spam or deceptive practices that exploit the YouTube community, noting that all channels flagged by the Guardian have been removed.

“We enforce our policies consistently, regardless of the political viewpoint expressed or how the content is generated,” the spokesperson said. “Our teams work around the clock to monitor harmful content and take swift action when necessary.”

YouTube said it is now working with Reset Tech following the findings. The company also noted that it removed more than 2.1 million channels for breaching its community guidelines.

Labour Party Raises Concerns Over the Rise of Misinformation

Ministers set up an online advertising task force to curb the monetisation of harmful and misleading content.

The Labour Party expressed concern that the spread of fake news threatens democracy, warning that foreign actors and profiteers are undermining elected institutions. The government states that it is collaborating with online platforms to combat misinformation, while urging tech companies to take stronger action and fulfil their responsibilities to remove such content.

“The government is stepping up its efforts to work with online platforms to tackle this scourge on free and fair democracy. But it’s important that tech bosses take this threat seriously and live up to their obligations to remove this type of content wherever it’s found,” a spokesperson said.

Labour Party to Overhaul Media Strategy to Combat Far-Right Rhetoric Online

On Tuesday, The Guardian reported that Keir Starmer’s communications chief will brief the cabinet on plans to overhaul the government’s media strategy, as ministers move to counter the rising spread of far-right rhetoric online.

David Dinsmore, permanent secretary for government communications, is set to present proposals to modernize how the government engages with voters.

The briefing comes amid mounting concern over false and inflammatory far-right content on social media, pushing the government to intensify its digital outreach efforts.

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