YouTube offers ‘second chances’ to banned creators — but with huge asterisks

YouTube announced in an official blog post on Thursday that it will give second chances to some users who had their channels terminated.

In late September, banned creators got the impression that they would be reinstated on YouTube after Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) wrote on X that Google had committed to allowing “ALL creators previously kicked off YouTube due to political speech violations to return to the platform.”

When controversial commentators Alex Jones and Nick Fuentes tested out the claim by starting new YouTube channels, they were promptly removed from the platform.

‘We may take action to protect the community.’

YouTube quickly responded by saying it had not yet rolled out the new pilot program, while a spokesman for Rep. Jordan told Blaze News that the new program would only “extend at a minimum to any users banned for policies no longer in effect,” such as policies pertaining to alleged misinformation about COVID-19 and elections.

In YouTube’s new blog post, the company wrote that it has heard from creators “loud and clear” that they want more options to return to the platform.

“So we’re happy to share that we’re introducing a pilot program to offer some qualified creators an opportunity to rebuild their presence on YouTube,” the blog stated. “Starting today, some previously terminated creators will have the opportunity to request a new YouTube channel.”

The platform noted that “not every type of channel termination” will be eligible, however, starting with only those who have been banned from the platform for at least one year.

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YouTube went on to say it would “consider several factors” when evaluating which excommunicated creators could apply for a new channel.

This included whether or not the creator has “committed particularly severe or persistent violations” of YouTube’s community guidelines, or whether the creator’s “on- or off-platform activity harmed or may continue to harm the YouTube community, like channels that endanger kids’ safety.”

YouTube also revealed that the latest pilot program would not be available to anyone banned for copyright infringement, or those who have violated the “creator responsibility” policies.

This area is likely the most contentious portion of the new program rules, as it covers a wide swath of undefined activity that extends to the content creator’s personal life and conduct outside of YouTube.

YouTube states that a creator could be in violation of the responsibility code if his or her behavior “harms” YouTube’s “users, community, employees or ecosystem.”

“We may take action to protect the community,” YouTube explains. An attached video added that conduct that loses the platform ad revenue can also be considered a violation.

“YouTube and advertisers don’t want to be associated with that level of craziness,” the video host said sternly. “And when advertisers pull their spend, everybody loses.”

“Inappropriate” behavior can also include the intention to cause malicious harm to others, or “participating in abuse or violence, demonstrating cruelty.”

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– YouTube

By now, creators know that such vague terminology can and will be used against them in the court of YouTube appeals, with the appeal process throwing up a whole other barrier within the new program.

If banned creators lose an appeal, they will also have to endure the mandatory one-year period before applying through the second chances program.

Another hurdle arises if a creator deleted his or her own channel. “Creators who deleted their YouTube channel/Google account will not be able to see the ‘request a new channel’ option at this time,” YouTube wrote.

Creators will know they are eligible for the second chances program simply by seeing an option to request a new channel when they log into the YouTube Studio on their computer through their previously deleted channel.

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