Music videos removed from YouTube since September 2020

Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.22.022689

I note you seek access to the following information:

I write seeking more information regarding the Metropolitan Police's relationship with YouTube and the removal of drill/rap music videos from that website
- a subject which has received much media attention since first being publicised by the Met in 2018.

1. The number of drill/rap music videos the Met requested removal of, from YouTube, since September 2020
2. The number of drill/rap music videos successfully removed from YouTube, at the Met's request, since September 2020
3. A list of all those drill/rap music videos removed from YouTube, at the Met's request, since September 2020
4. The number of pieces of drill/rap video content indexed by the Met since September 2020
5. The names of the "key channels" the Met is working with to reduce the likelihood of threat, harm and risk being generated

Decision

I have today decided to disclose some of the requested information. Some data has been withheld as it is exempt from disclosure and therefore this response serves as a Refusal Notice under Section 17 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (the Act) by virtue of the following exemptions:

Section 30(1)(a) - Investigations and proceedings conducted by public authorities
Section 40(2)(a)(b) and (3)(a)(i)(ii)(b) - Personal Information

Reason for decision

Section 40(2)(a)(b) and (3)(a)(i)(ii)(b) - Personal Information
Section 30(1)(a) - Investigations and proceedings conducted by public authorities

Section 40 - Personal Information are absolute exemptions which means that the legislators have identified that harm would be caused by any release. In addition there is no requirement to consider the public interest test.
In considering whether or not this information should be disclosed, I have considered the potential harm that could be caused by disclosure.

Disclosing the names of the key channels that the MPS is working with to get music videos taken down risks the identity of said channels and makes individuals involved in drill/rap music aware of where the MPS are focusing, or not, in order to remove videos that entice crime, hate, violence etc.

To disclose the names of the channels that the MPS are working with in order to remove some drill/rap videos, would give individuals, with criminal intent, knowledge of where the MPS are looking at videos, or not, and would enable these individuals to avoid those channels and place their videos elsewhere and remain undetected.

This could hinder the prevention and detection of crime and also the prejudice the MPS’s ability to fairly conduct an investigation

To disclose information in relation to your request could cause an individual to be identified and interfere with any ongoing investigation.

Disclosure

Q1 - The number of drill/rap music videos the Met requested removal of, from YouTube, since September 2020
Q2 - The number of drill/rap music videos successfully removed from YouTube, at the Met's request, since September 2020

Please see the table below for Questions 1 & 2

YouTube Referrals	Referrals	Removals	Refusals
2020	125	124	1
2021	510	493	17
2022	1 9	18	1
Total	654	635	19

Q4 - The number of pieces of drill/rap video content indexed by the Met since September 2020

In relation to the number of pieces of drill/rap video content indexed by the Met since September 2020, the figure is – 1006 (01/09/2020 – 18/01/2022).