The purge of crypto-related material across some of the bigger centralized internet companies is nothing new. There has been evidence of the likes of Google, Facebook and YouTube taking down or working again different content producers and apps that have their basis in crypto.

This on-again-off-again war of attrition has flared up again recently with evidence that media apps related to cryptocurrencies — like that of Coindesk and Cointelegraph, have been removed from the Google Play Store. Following this, there are also now moves from YouTube allegedly targeting crypto video channels.

Content producers from YouTube have taken to Twitter to air their issues with the video platform with screenshots showing strikes against the channels for harmful and dangerous content. Of course, the argument that could be made is that information proclaiming the investment in cryptocurrencies is a good idea is dangerous given the untested and unregulated space — but that viewpoint is growing ever more antiquated.

Striking out

Several crypto channels showed how they were recently targeted with screenshots and tweets, but they also reached out to other creators and news outlets to spread the word on what appears to be an unjustified attack on crypto content.

Pro Blockchain Media Channel argues that their content is purely educational and there is no harmful or dangerous content broadcasted from their official YouTube channel and tweeted to YouTube asking for clarification.

Tagging well-known crypto content producer, Ivan on Tech, the channel garnered his support as he too has been subject to blocking from YouTube before.

Another channel — this time under the Bitboy_Crypto twitter handle, showed a similar attack as he was hit with a strike for harmful content. The tweet read:

“@TeamYouTube I was unfairly hit with a strike today and cannot upload videos. The video I posted about the #Bitcoin Halvening was purely informational. I need this appeal expedited as I make daily videos and can’t upload for 7 days now! Everyone please retweet!@ytcreators”

Hunting down sensationalism

It would appear that the drive to curb content related to cryptocurrency is in order to curb sensationalism from YouTube. The cryptocurrency market is one that is full of speculation, which in itself lends to sensationalism.

However, these bans and strikes seem a little heavy-handed and too targeted towards purely cryptocurrency content. It will be interesting to see where this path leads and if YouTube will carry one their drive against crypto, or if an adjustment in their algorithm will spare more crypto content creators.

