Creator Alleges YouTube Flags Bruising as 'Gory Injury,' Citing "Absurd" Content Moderation

Los Angeles, CA – Sean Fitzgerald, known online as "Actual Justice Warrior," has publicly criticized YouTube's content moderation practices, stating that the platform is flagging post-injury bruising in his videos as severely as "gory injury or dead body." Fitzgerald, a content creator specializing in criminal justice and political commentary, voiced his frustration on social media, highlighting what he perceives as an "absurd" and overly strict application of YouTube's guidelines.

In a tweet posted on August 13, 2025, Fitzgerald stated, > "People get on me for editing out all violence from videos because of how Youtube treats my channel, well even doing that, but showing bruising from a week later gets me hit. Bruising is considered like showing a severe gory injury or dead body on my channel. Absurd."

YouTube's official policies on violent or graphic content aim to prohibit material intended to shock or disgust viewers. This includes "footage or imagery showing bodily fluids, such as blood or vomit, with the intent to shock or disgust viewers." While the platform does not explicitly detail policies on minor injuries like bruising, its broader guidelines emphasize the removal or age-restriction of content that depicts graphic violence or gore. Exceptions can be made for content with "Educational, Documentary, Scientific, or Artistic (EDSA)" context, which may be age-restricted rather than removed entirely.

Fitzgerald's channel typically delves into detailed analyses of court documents and media reports on high-profile criminal cases, often from a right-wing libertarian perspective. This type of content could potentially fall under YouTube's EDSA exceptions, suggesting a possible conflict between the platform's stated flexibility for educational material and the strict flagging experienced by the creator. The incident raises questions about the nuances of content moderation, particularly how automated systems and human reviewers interpret and apply policies to less severe visual elements like healed injuries.

The creator's complaint underscores ongoing challenges faced by content producers navigating complex and sometimes ambiguous platform guidelines. While YouTube strives to maintain a safe and advertiser-friendly environment, creators frequently report inconsistencies and over-enforcement, impacting their ability to monetize and distribute their work. The platform relies on a combination of automated detection and human review, and creators have the option to appeal decisions they believe are made in error.