The union, created in 2018, has launched a campaign called FairTube alongside the German union. Demands include transparency around video monetization, the ability to contest “decisions that have negative consequences” for creators and being included in “important decisions.” The platform has until August 23 to address the demands. If YouTube does not respond by then, IG Metall’s lawyers may argue YouTubers should be considered employees by law, or that Europe’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) compels the platform to be more transparent with them. YouTube has not publicly addressed the campaign. (Gizmodo)

Talking point: The move comes after years of accusations from YouTubers, who allege the platform arbitrarily demonetizes their videos. YouTube hasn’t addressed those complaints. This latest campaign, with the backing of a major industry union, is one of the most significant YouTuber-led labour movements; its founder, Jörg Sprave, said over 1,000 members have joined since it launched on Friday. Though it hasn’t yet gotten a response from the platform, leveraging the GDPR’s data requirements may be effective. Its parent company, Google, was fined US$57 million in January for failing to adequately disclose how user data is collected across its services, including YouTube.