YouTube to start bringing back creators banned for COVID-19 and election misinformation

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: ABC News/AP

September 24, 2025, 11:13 AM


NEW YORK -- YouTube will offer creators a way to rejoin the streaming platform if they were banned for violating COVID-19 and election misinformation policies that are no longer in effect, its parent company Alphabet said Tuesday.

In a letter submitted in response to subpoenas from the House Judiciary Committee, attorneys for Alphabet said the decision to bring back banned accounts reflected the company's commitment to free speech. It said the company values conservative voices on its platform and recognizes their reach and important role in civic discourse. “No matter the political atmosphere, YouTube will continue to enable free expression on its platform, particularly as it relates to issues subject to political debate,” the letter read.

The move is the latest in a cascade of content moderation rollbacks from tech companies, who cracked down on false information during the pandemic and after the 2020 election but have since faced pressure from President Donald Trump and other conservatives who argue they unlawfully stifled right-wing voices in the process.

It comes as tech CEOs, including Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai, have sought a closer relationship with the Republican president, including through high-dollar donations to his campaign and attending events in Washington.

Read more: https://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory/youtube-start-bringing-back-creators-banned-covid-19-125894597

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Ignoring scientific facts and promoting non-scientific nonsense IS "misinformation", regardless of "free speech".

[Buddyzbuddy]

1. But, tik tok is the dangerous platform.

[womanofthehills]

10. TicToc soon to be mainly owned by the second richest billionaire in the world

Zionist Larry Ellison - the largest independent donor to IDF. Plus he’s besties with Netanyahu and Trump. Kids will need to find another platform.

[Lucky Luciano]

2. Violent speech is not protected.

Antivaxx misinformation can reasonably be argued as violent speech as it gets people killed.

Election misinformation is a bit more questionable. At the time, it was easier to argue that it was intended to incite an insurrection - ie violence. Now, though, it is just idiots blabbing.

[Polybius]

7. 9/11 Truth Channels were banned too

I'm far from a Truther, but I used to watch these for entertainment. I never agreed when them being banned.

[SickOfTheOnePct]

11. Incitement to violence is not protected

And misinformation about elections or COVID is not incitement to violence.

Either we think it’s ok for government to censor speech or we don’t. Unless we’re into hypocrisy, we can’t cheer Google or social media platforms for caving to government pressure to suppress speech, and then turn around and criticize ABC for doing the same thing.

[Lucky Luciano]

13. Antivaxx gets people killed. That's violence.

The election conspiracy led directly to Jan 6 - violence and the attempt to overthrow the USA. Now, it wouldn’t lead to violence, sure, so let them have at it along with the flat earthers and moon landing nutcases.

[SickOfTheOnePct]

14. We'll agree to disagree as to whether words alone constitute violence

I don't believe they do.

[BlueWavePsych]

3. Remember way back when ...

[ImNotGod]

4. Oh, the putin trolls can get their old channels back but their new channels seem to be doing just fine. nt

[Marthe48]

5. I am finding things on Internet Archives

Seems like if we find what seems to be a safe haven on the Internet, the thugs invade it. Maybe relying on non Internet entertainment, like cds, tapes, VHS recordings, campfires stories, would save a lot of angst.

[Chemical Bill]

6. I got an ad yesterday...

trying to sell me ivermectin.

[Turbineguy]

8. cuz we need more misinformation and bullshit.

[niyad]

9. I see. In the meantime, they just troll other channels, posting hateful, lying,

ignorant ruzzian propaganda and other assorted crap.

[mdbl]

12. The whole situation brings back a line from the movie Sneakers

"You won't know who to trust"

[Miguelito Loveless]

15. Denari uber alles!

[Eugene]

16. Oh the joys of removing these wackos from my feed - again /sarc

starting with Dave "I am so back" Cullen

... and now Google just agreed to pay out a settlement to the Donvict

torrent of bull**it incoming