YouTube to reduce streaming quality in Europe due to coronavirus

YouTube is the second company after Netflix to act after EU industry chief Thierry Breton urged streaming platforms to cut the quality of their videos to prevent Internet gridlock. — Reuters

BRUSSELS: Alphabet Inc's YouTube said on March 20 that it will reduce its streaming quality in the European Union to avoid straining the Internet as thousands of Europeans, constrained by the coronavirus outbreak, switch to teleworking and watch videos at home.

YouTube is the second company after Netflix to act after EU industry chief Thierry Breton urged streaming platforms to cut the quality of their videos to prevent Internet gridlock. Videos account for a substantial part of Internet traffic data.