YouTube has moved to ban videos that incite violence following criticism in the UK and US that it needed to toughen its policies.

Google-owned YouTube has updated its community guidelines - specifically pointing out that a new addition is to make sure no videos "directly incite violence".

"We realise it's not always obvious where we draw the line on content that's acceptable to upload," said YouTube in a blog post.

"We've updated the community guidelines… included in the update are a few new things to steer clear of, like not directly inciting violence."

Within YouTube's community guidelines section, the updated rules include two points on violent videos.

"Graphic or gratuitous violence is not allowed," points out one guideline. "If your video shows someone getting hurt, attacked or humiliated, don't post it."

The second relevant guideline highlighted as a "common sense rule" relates to hate speech.

"We encourage free speech and defend everyone's right to express unpopular points of view," states the rule.

"We do not permit hate speech (speech which attacks or demeans a group based on race or ethnic origin, religion, disability, gender, age, veteran status and sexual orientation/gender identity)."

YouTube was taken to task in the UK in July over its policing of the "dark side" of the internet by a culture, media and sport committee report looking at harmful content on the internet.

In a press briefing on the topic, committee chairman John Whittingdale criticised YouTube for not going far enough with proactive measures, beyond a pledge to take down material when it is "flagged" up by users.

He cited one specific example of "concern" that involved a video of what appeared to be a gang rape that was viewed around 600 times.

He said that YouTube was made aware of the content by a user but it was not taken down until a second warning came through.

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