Demonetization

History

• 2016-2019
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Adpocalypse

When YouTube updates its terms of service from political backlash, what are the downstream effects?

Introduction

Independent

YouTube is one of the most popular platforms that allow content creators to monetize their videos and earn a living on the website. This monetization is possible due to the inclusion of advertiser revenue. For many creators, this revenue becomes their sole source of income and/or supports a small team of creators. Over the years, YouTube has continued to change its ToS — sparked by flashes of political controversy.

There were three recent instances of changes to the ToS:

1. Pewdiepie Adpocalypse
2. Adpocalypse 2.0
3. Vox Adpocalypse

Adpocalypse Results

Tube Filter

Following each adpocalypse, YouTube changed its ToS to moderate extremist content. Although this can be a reasonable measure taken by the platform, many creators are often worried that adpocalypses will destroy their livelihood if caught in the crossfire. Other critics point towards demonetization as a limit on free speech, saying YouTube favors larger media corporations that are advertiser-friendly over independent journalists and creators. Further, some have argued that social media platforms maliciously target certain political commentators and politicians using the platforms to remove their opinions from the site. While conservatives often feel that platforms unfairly target them with demonetization, left-leaning content is also heavily affected. Even creators that do not produce political content are affected by restrictions. For instance, YouTube demonetized the popular prank-calling channel Ownage Pranks for the stereotyped characters he portrays in his prank calls.

Ownage Pranks

Demonetization sparks a broader discussion about whether YouTube can be considered an open platform, like a public space, or a publisher, like a newspaper. Conservatives often argue that social media companies use demonetization to censor content they disagree with, making them publishers. However, social media platforms claim demonetization prevents controversial content from receiving advertising revenue.

Other Payment Removals

Owen Benjamin

JTA

Patreonis a U.S. platform that provides content creators with the business tools to launch, acquire, and manage their paid subscriptions. It became controversial in right-leaning political spheres for removing commentators and shadowbanning. In 2020, Patreon had 72 identical $2.2 million lawsuits filed against them for removing right-leaning commentator Owen Benjamin. Benjamin and his fans filed these claims to bankrupt Patreon with court fees. July 29th, 2020, the California Superior Court denied Patreon’s request for a preliminary injunction.

Carl Benjamin

Joe

Carl Benjamin — otherwise known as Sargon of Akkad — is a British political commentator known for his critiques of immigration and progressive politics. Towards the midpoint of his rise to prominence, he ran a marginally successful YouTube channel that was hit by the adpocalypse, prompting him to use Patreon as a primary source of income. With his channel growing, he decided to engage in political debates against racial extremists where in one instance he used the n-word to insult a white nationalist. He was subsequently removed from Patreon for this comment.

Carl’s banning caused a bridge across political divides as some left leaning activists that similarly use Patreon defended him. Left-leaning atheist intellectual Sam Harris deleted his Patreon account citing that, although he doesn’t share the politics of [Carl], the recent expulsions are more readily explained by political bias. The move prompted further backlash as another political commentator Dave Rubin and clinical pyschologist Jordan Peterson created an alternative fundraising platform — Locals — stating, “The banning of Carl [Sargon of Aarkad] for doing something that was not on the Patreon platform that wasn’t even done on his channel, because of a word he said … is a massive move of that line of what’s acceptable.” Carl Benjamin now owns and operates his own media corporation "The Lotus Eaters".

Lauren Southern

SPLC

Lauren Southern is a right-leaning freelance political journalist famous for her documentaries on mass immigration and South African farmers. Most of her income that allowed her to travel was donated via Patreon; however, she was removed from the platform for raising funds in order to take part in activities that are likely to cause loss of life. This was due to work in her immigration documentary covering the Defend Europe ship — a donation based ship that aided the Lybian coast guard with preventing refugee boats from leaving the shores. Southern argued that this boat actually saved lives by preventing migrants from making the dangerous crossing to Italy. She also argued that Patreon allowed crowdfunding for Antifa’s “It’s Going Down” event which openly promoted violence towards police officers and “capitalists.”

1. Does YouTube’s ToS unfairly discriminate against certain content?
2. Should YouTube reimburse content creators caught in the crossfire when it changes its ToS, known as an “adpocalyspe”?