YouTube has temporarily suspended and demonetized right-wing podcaster and commentator Dan Bongino’s channel for violating the platform’s COVID-19 misinformation policy.
The suspension comes after Bongino posted a video saying masks are “useless” against stopping the spread of COVID-19.
“We removed a video for violating our policies on COVID-19 misinformation, specifically for comments that masks are useless, resulting in a first strike on the channel,” a YouTube spokesperson told The Daily Beast.
The video was Bongino’s first “strike” under YouTube’s COVID-19 policy, resulting in a one-week suspension from posting, according to The Hill. If he violates the policy again within 90 days his channel will be suspended for two weeks. A third strike within that same 90 day period will result in permanent suspension.
In addition to not being able to post new videos for a week, Bongino was also suspended from the YouTube Partner Program, which allows him to monetize his videos through advertising. He can reapply in 30 days if the underlying issues that led to the removal are addressed.
