YouTube Purges Cryptocurrency Content - Sparks Online Protest Jonathan Ganor 2019-12-25 07:24:05 2955 views

Could A Protest Really Change Google's Mind?

"Big Tech" had a strange relationship with cryptocurrencies. In 2018, near Bitcoin's all-time-high both Google, Facebook and Twitter banned ads relating to cryptocurrencies. These bans were all over-turned in time, and for now users can post ads on these platforms for the most part.

Oddly enough, despite these bans most of these corporations have all considered adopting cryptocurrencies in one way or another. Facebook announced their cryptocurrency project, Libra several months ago. Twitter's Jack Dorsey has been looking into blockchain and decentralization for future Twitter development.

Youtube & Cryptocurrencies

Recently Google has been receiving an amount of criticism for removing cryptocurrency content on YouTube. Apparently, many cryptocurrency content creators on YouTube have reported getting hit with warnings or strikes recently. The official citation seems to be "harmful or dangerous content" and "sale of regulated goods".

Here is my self-maintained lost of crypto YouTubers getting hit with warnings/strikes. Is this list missing anyone? pic.twitter.com/RITRL7Vb0q — Omar Bham (Crypt0) (@crypt0snews) December 24, 2019

It has similarly been reported that ads related to cryptocurrencies on YouTube are suffering a similar fate.

This decision by YouTube & by extension Google has caused a mild uproar on Twitter amongst the cryptocurrency crowd. Some have started tweeting the hashtag #YTcryptoPurge as a form of protest. This may have begun with Mati Greenspan, the former head analyst at eToro. He has audibly been criticizing the decision.

In protest of @Google's new unexpected and unexplained censorship of #crypto content I will be boycotting @YouTube until further notice. pic.twitter.com/qpQtoArBC7 — Mati Greenspan [not trading advice] (@MatiGreenspan) December 24, 2019

So far neither YouTube nor Google have not referenced the removal of cryptocurrency content. YouTube is the largest video content platform on the internet by a wide margin. While some may try to migrate to alternative platforms such as Vimeo, such a move could drastically decrease their online presence.

While the protest against YouTube might not essentially be what changes their mind currently. A handful of cryptocurrency enthusiasts erasing their YouTube app won't likely bother anyone at Google. If this protest grows and begins trending, it could potentially raise some eyebrows at the next YouTube management meeting.

YouTube tends to be more concerned with ad revenue. Should the industry as a whole stop advertising on YouTube, it could be far more effective.

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