YouTube has had a long and complicated history with crypto, which often revolved around banning channels. More often than not, it was without real reason, and the company’s assessment of the channels breaking its rules and policies turned out to be false.
It happened again this weekend, and the incident once again started with YouTube banning a crypto channel called Altcoin Daily.
YouTube banned Altcoin Daily
The channel is run by two brothers, Austin and Aaron Arnold. It is a news/opinion channel that focuses on the crypto industry and relevant events, their potential impact on the market, and alike. It also has over 214,000 subscribers.
URGENT! YouTube has just terminated our channel claiming that we were "encouraging illegal activities"!
We are a news/opinion channel! We have never promoted anything illegal!
Appeal has been submitted. @TeamYouTube Please review this!
Plz RT! HELP!https://t.co/o5GAKLXTBc
— Altcoin Daily (@AltcoinDailyio) July 31, 2020
Despite any real reason, YouTube banned the channel due to alleged “encouraging of illegal activities.” Naturally, the brothers felt like this is a false accusation, which is why they called for their supporters’ help on Twitter.
“We have never promoted anything illegal. Appeal has been submitted,” they said, encouraging their 27,700 followers to contact YouTube themselves, and request that the channel is returned. In fact, the incident started a new hashtag — #FreeAltcoinDaily.
After the entire weekend of spreading the news of the ban via the social media and contacting YouTube with the reinstatement requests, the channel was finally returned, as confirmed earlier today.
UPDATE: Altcoin Daily is back!!!
Thank you #crypto community for your massive support! It truly did not go unnoticed.
Our daily video's resume tomorrow! See you then!https://t.co/o5GAKLXTBc
— Altcoin Daily (@AltcoinDailyio) August 3, 2020
Not the first time
As mentioned, YouTube has had quite a few similar incidents. Less than a year ago, in December 2019, the platform started deleting videos with crypto-related content with no warning or any practical reason.
Even the largest crypto channels had their videos removed, while some users had their entire accounts suspended.
YouTube quickly reversed the procedure after the following social media outrage, claiming that it was due to an error in its famously flawed algorithm. Then, only two months ago, it shut down the channel belonging to a crypto news website, Bitcoin.com.
Just like this time, it also justified the move by stating that it violated the firm’s Terms of Service. However, after an appeal, the channel was restored, once again — two days later. Some creators who suffered a similar fate saw their channels return faster, sometimes after only 24 hours.
