YouTube shifts default video quality to standard definition globally

Starting today, YouTube began shifting the default play settings on all its videos to standard definition. The decision, confirmed to Mashable over email, is in response to possible bandwidth strain as more and more people self-isolate to slow the spread of the coronavirus.The move follows a similar announcement late last week focused solely on Europe. As was the case then, this change does not prevent people from watching YouTube videos in higher definition, but rather simply alters the setting on which they autoplay."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," a Google spokesperson told Mashable over email.