The music video for Kanye West’s latest single, All of the Lights, has been taken off YouTube following fears it could cause epileptic seizures. The move comes after UK charity Epilepsy Action yesterday warned that the extensive use of flashing imagery in the video could cause seizures in some people.
Epilepsy Action contacted Kanye West’s agent, YouTube and other online sources of the video to ask that they take it down. The video can no longer be viewed on YouTube and has been replaced by a message saying ‘this video is no longer available.’
Aimee Gee, PR and campaigns manager at Epilepsy Action, said: “We had started to receive calls from people who have had a seizure after watching the video. We are very pleased that someone has taken the decision to have it removed. We’re not quite sure yet whether it is YouTube or Kanye West’s representatives who have made this decision, or if it is a permanent move. In any case, for now we are delighted that our fears have been listened to and people with photosensitive epilepsy are no longer at risk.
Epilepsy affects around 456,000 people in the UK. As many as five per cent of people with epilepsy could have photosensitive epilepsy, which means their seizures are triggered by flashing or flickering light. Seizures can cause injury and can, in the worst cases, be fatal.
If people have concerns or have been affected by this video, they can contact the Epilepsy Helpline on freephone 0808 800 5050 or email helpline@epilepsy.org.uk .
People outside the UK can call on +44 113 210 8800 or find a list of local epilepsy organisations at www.epilepsy.org.uk/about/international-epilepsy-organisations