Although social media is primarily focused on fan accounts for celebrities and idols, some would say that this is a bad idea for impersonation because it makes it difficult to distinguish between the two, thereby causing harm and misconceptions. Fan accounts are made to convey support and affection for a popular personality, but they frequently copy their appearance, usernames, and other characteristics, leading some users to believe they are talking with the real person. This may lead to inaccurate information, erroneous expectations, and invasions of privacy, confusing and upsetting both the public figure and their supporters. The tech behemoth YouTube appears to adhere to the same guideline as it recently announced that it will be stricter.
Simply adding “Fan Account” to the Channel name/description won’t be enough
Starting on August 21st, YouTube users who operate fan channels will have to make it very obvious that their channels are not associated with the original artist, creator, or business. It is no longer sufficient to just add “fan account” to the channel description. These new rules are a part of larger YouTube measures made to deter impersonation on the site. Channels that impersonate fans while stealing another channel’s material or sounding eerily similar to them with minor name changes are forbidden. Users will also not be permitted to impersonate other users while posting comments on videos or creating fake channels.
YouTube seeks to stop impersonators by implementing these rules and to protect its users. The platform anticipates that these safeguards will ensure clarity and openness and guard against viewers being deceived by the channels they engage with. Additionally, authors will be shielded from malicious uses of their names and likeness.