safe2choose.org, an online platform that connects women and other abortion seekers everywhere to accurate and tailored information on safe abortion options, so that they can have a safe abortion where, when, and with whom they feel most comfortable.
The intention of this mailer is to seek understanding and clarification behind the suspension of our account. The suspension was initiated on the weekend of 21st May 2022- 23rd May 2022.
YouTube claims that safe2choose is violating guidelines by generating content that allegedly “encourages or promotes violent or dangerous acts that have an inherent risk of serious physical harm or death”.
In 2018, YouTube suspended the safe2choose account because of a testimonial video from a 42-year-old Malaysian user thanking safe2choose for supporting her through her safe and successful abortion process.
Stories hold power. We believe that sharing stories about safe abortion experiences can go a long way in helping lift the heavy veil of stigma and misinformation that has long been associated with abortion.
But we cannot do this alone.
Online censorship has constrained our reach and diminished our ability to reach abortion seekers.
Our goal is to raise awareness about freedom of speech, freedom of choice, and human rights. These continuous suspensions on grounds that do not match with our content or intent have increasingly proven to be a barrier in our mission work. More importantly, it has stopped the flow of lifesaving, crucial information to the people that need it the most.
Our marketing team has sent out an appeal and also requested YouTube to let us know which particular videos triggered the suspension. The appeal was denied and we were left without a response regarding the videos that didn’t match platform guidelines.
Online Censorship of Reproductive Health Information
As advocates of reproductive health, we are no strangers to constant regulation by the big tech companies. We have been bit by many algorithms in the past that has impacted Google’s results list and how to find safe2choose. All the information that we share about having a safe abortion has been researched and approved by the World Health Organisation.
Call for Solidarity
We want to use our voices for the common good and to represent the marginalised communities that we serve. We are calling for your solidarity and support in signing this petition here, to request YouTube respect Reproductive Rights, stop censoring important life-saving information, and re-instate our account.
“If you are silent about your pain, they will kill you and say you enjoyed it.” Zora Neale Hurston