The Washington PostDemocracy Dies in Darkness

Searching for news on RBG? YouTube offered conspiracy theories about the Supreme Court justice instead.

January 11, 2019 at 1:08 p.m. EST
YouTube search results for “RBG” on Jan. 8. (YouTube and /YouTube)

Conspiracy theories about the health of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg have dominated YouTube this week, illustrating how the world’s most popular video site is failing to prevent its algorithm from helping popularize viral hoaxes and misinformation.

More than half of the top 20 search results for her initials, “RBG,” on Wednesday pointed to false far-right videos, some claiming doctors are using mysterious illegal drugs to keep her alive, according to a review by The Washington Post. Ginsburg has been absent from oral arguments at the Supreme Court this week as she recuperates from recent surgery to remove cancer from her lungs. Tests revealed Friday that she will need no further treatment and that her recovery is on track.