YouTube Second Chance Policy: Appeals for Banned Channels

YouTube to Allow Reinstatement for Terminated Creators

YouTube revealed on Thursday a new initiative allowing creators with previously terminated channels to petition for new accounts. This represents a significant shift in policy for the platform.

A Second Chance for Creators

The company acknowledged that many creators merit a second opportunity. YouTube emphasized its own evolution over the past two decades, noting its own instances of needing to correct course within its community.

Political Pressure and the Policy Change

This policy adjustment, described by YouTube as a “pilot” program, follows scrutiny from Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH). He had issued a subpoena to Alphabet, YouTube’s parent company, to investigate potential “coercion or collusion” with the Biden-Harris administration regarding speech censorship.

In response, Daniel F. Donovan, Alphabet’s legal counsel, informed Rep. Jordan in a letter that the company would permit some previously banned creators to return to the platform.

Focus on Past Policies

Although YouTube’s blog post doesn’t directly mention its prior COVID-19 or election integrity policies, Alphabet’s letter clarifies their importance in this decision.

The letter states that YouTube will offer reinstatement to creators whose channels were terminated for repeated breaches of COVID-19 and election integrity guidelines that are no longer active. Furthermore, Alphabet highlighted the value of conservative voices on YouTube and their role in public discussion.

The Context of Previous Restrictions

During the initial stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, platforms including YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter implemented measures to curb the dissemination of inaccurate medical information concerning the virus and vaccines.

Specifically, YouTube prohibited content falsely claiming vaccines cause cancer, a claim unsupported by scientific evidence. Subsequently, following the January 6th riots, these platforms also acted against accounts perceived to be inciting violence, including that of former President Donald Trump.

Discontinued Policies, Lingering Consequences

These policies have since been rescinded; however, creators terminated under these rules were previously unable to resume uploading videos to YouTube.

Pilot Program Specifics

TechCrunch inquired whether this pilot program would specifically target creators terminated due to the COVID-19 and election integrity policies. A response was not received before this article’s publication.

According to the company’s blog, several factors will be considered when reviewing requests for new channels. These include the severity and persistence of past Community Guidelines or Terms of Service violations.

YouTube will also assess whether a creator’s activities, both on and off the platform, posed or continue to pose a risk to the YouTube community, particularly concerning the safety of children.

Ineligibility for Reinstatement

Creators terminated for copyright infringement will not be eligible to request a new channel.

Eligibility and Appeal Process

Creators must wait a full year after their channel’s termination before applying for a new one. However, they retain the right to appeal their original termination during that one-year period if they believe the decision was unfair.

Starting Anew

Reinstated creators will begin with a new channel, without regaining access to their previous account. Nevertheless, they can reapply to the YouTube Partner Program once eligible, enabling them to share in ad revenue.