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YouTube Offers Path Back for Creators Banned Under Retired COVID-19, 2020 Election Rules

Alphabet disclosed the plan in a letter to House investigators following Republican subpoenas.

Overview

  • In correspondence to Rep. Jim Jordan, Alphabet said senior Biden officials repeatedly pressed it to remove COVID-19 videos that did not violate policy, calling such pressure unacceptable and wrong.
  • YouTube will run a limited pilot to allow some terminated channels to rejoin, with criteria, selection and start date not fully specified; Variety reports the program is expected to launch within weeks.
  • The company retired its election‑integrity enforcement in 2023 and its standalone COVID‑19 rules in 2024, and current guidelines allow a wider range of content on those topics.
  • Previously banned conservative accounts potentially affected include Steve Bannon, Dan Bongino, Sebastian Gorka and the Children's Health Defense channel, according to multiple reports.
  • Alphabet said it does not empower third‑party fact‑checkers on YouTube and will continue to use context tools such as information panels and user notes.