upload_video · Youtube MCP: Risk & Policy

WHAT IT DOES

What upload_video does on Youtube

AI agents use upload_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 upload_video needs a policy

Uploading a video is a Write operation—it creates new data on YouTube. It is reversible (videos can be deleted), so not Destructive. The severity is high because an AI agent misusing this tool could upload unwanted, offensive, or harmful content to a user's YouTube channel, causing reputational damage and requiring manual cleanup.

From the tool's definition Tool name is 'upload_video' on a YouTube management server with sibling tools for creating and deleting videos.

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

Recommended rule Ready

Verdict

upload_video Rate-limited

upload_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": {
    "upload_video": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "upload_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 upload_video

What does the upload_video tool do? +

upload_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 upload_video? +

Register the Youtube MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for upload_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 upload_video? +

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

Can I rate-limit upload_video? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the upload_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 upload_video completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for upload_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 upload_video? +

upload_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.