update_video · Youtube MCP: Risk & Policy

WHAT IT DOES

What update_video does on Youtube

AI agents use update_video to create or update resources in Youtube — usually the action step of a workflow, after the agent has gathered context. Every call changes real data in your Youtube environment.

WHY IT NEEDS A POLICY

Why update_video needs a policy

The tool modifies video metadata or properties reversibly (title, description, tags, privacy settings, etc.). This is a Write operation since changes can be undone by updating again, unlike Destructive operations.

From the tool's definition Tool named 'update_video' on a YouTube management server with sibling tools including delete_video, create_playlist, and delete_comment. The 'update_' prefix indicates modification of existing data.

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

Recommended rule Ready

Verdict

update_video Rate-limited

update_video stays usable, but capped — an agent stuck in a loop can't make hundreds of changes a minute. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

View as policy code

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "update_video": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "update_video_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 30,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

LIMIT THIS TOOL →

Instant setup, no code required.

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: every tool call is checked against your rule before it reaches Youtube, so you can run agents against it safely.

FAQ

Questions about update_video

What does the update_video tool do? +

update_video. It is categorised as a Write tool in the Youtube MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.

How do I enforce a policy on update_video? +

Register the Youtube MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for update_video: allow, deny, rate-limit, or require approval. Point your MCP client at the PolicyLayer proxy URL and the rule is enforced on every call, before it reaches Youtube. Nothing to install.

What risk level is update_video? +

update_video is a Write tool with medium risk. Write tools should be rate-limited to prevent accidental bulk modifications.

Can I rate-limit update_video? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the update_video rule in your PolicyLayer policy. For example, setting max: 10 and window: 60 limits the tool to 10 calls per minute. Rate limits are tracked per agent session and reset automatically.

How do I block update_video completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for update_video. The AI agent will receive a policy violation error and cannot call the tool. You can also include a reason field to explain why the tool is blocked.

What MCP server provides update_video? +

update_video is provided by the Youtube MCP server (kpfitzgerald/youtube-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.