YouTube to reduce video quality around the world to ease internet traffic during the coronavirus outbreak

With people staying home during this coronavirus pandemic, the demand for internet traffic skyrocket. Many people are turning to social media, Netflix and Youtube to keep themselves occupied. Yesterday, YouTube said it will reduce the quality of videos around the world starting Tuesday as part its effort to ease internet traffic during the coronavirus outbreak.

“We continue to work closely with governments and network operators around the globe to do our part to minimize stress on the system during this unprecedented situation,” Google said in a statement.

Youtube is not alone. Today, Netflix said it would reduce traffic over telecom networks in India by 25% over the next 30 days to ease data congestion as millions stay indoors because of the coronavirus pandemi.

Over the weekend, Facebook announced it will temporarily downgrading the quality of video streaming in Europe on its social platforms Facebook and Instagram in response to a call for action from the European Commission. A week before, Netflix, YouTube and Amazon said they would switch Standard Definition streaming by default in the region.