Obama Admin Asking YouTube to Review Anti-Islam Film

The Obama administration has asked YouTube to review the anti-Islam film blamed for igniting mob violence this week throughout the Middle East.

The Los Angeles Times first reported Thursday that administration officials had asked the Internet video giant to examine whether "Innocence of Muslims" violated the site's guidelines. On Friday, National Security Council spokesman Tommy Vietor said the White House had “reached out to YouTube to call the video to their attention and ask them to review whether it violates their terms of use,” the Washington Post reported.

YouTube's community guidelines prohibit sexually explicit content, "bad stuff" like animal abuse, drug abuse and underage drinking, gratuitous violence and hate speech that "attacks or demeans a group based on race or ethnic origin, religion, disability, gender, age, veteran status, and sexual orientation/gender identity."

The 14-minute trailer for "Innocence of Muslims" -- still available on YouTube on Friday -- portrays the prophet Muhammad as a murdering adulterer who approved of child sexual abuse. Depicting Muhammad in any way is considered a grave offense in Islam.

YouTube did not immediately respond to a request for comment from TheBlaze about the administration's request or whether any type of review was being conducted.

A YouTube spokesman said in a statement Wednesday the video would remain on the site, though access would be restricted in Egypt and Libya, where the first waves of violence took place.

"We work hard to create a community everyone can enjoy and which also enables people to express different opinions," the statement said. "This can be a challenge because what's OK in one country can be offensive elsewhere. This video — which is widely available on the Web — is clearly within our guidelines and so will stay on YouTube."