YouTube Deletes Conspiracy Theorist David Icke's Channel
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YouTube has deleted the channel of conspiracy theorist and former footballer David Icke amid pressures to help stop the spread of misinformation during the coronavirus pandemic.
The ban from the video platform follows a similar move by Facebook, which removed Icke's page on Friday.
YouTube, which is owned by Google, said Icke's channel was deleted due to violating 'clear policies' surrounding content about Covid-19.
Icke had made controversial claims about the virus on several internet platforms, including the unproven idea that the novel coronavirus is linked to the 5G mobile network.
A spokesperson for YouTube told the BBC: "YouTube has clear policies prohibiting any content that disputes the existence and transmission of Covid-19 as described by the WHO and the NHS.
"Due to continued violation of these policies we have terminated David Icke's YouTube channel."
The move has been praised by the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH), a UK think-tank.
A statement on the CCDH website said such videos of Icke's have been viewed 'at least 30 million times'.
It said: "Since the outbreak of the coronavirus, Icke has used your platforms to spread dangerous conspiracy theories and medical misinformation to his audience of millions of followers and subscribers.
"The potentially harmful claims he has made include denying the existence of Covid-19; linking the current crisis to 5G mobile technology; suggesting that Jewish cultists are behind the crisis; that viruses cannot be transmitted through direct physical contact or intermediary objects; and that people with healthy immune systems are safe from contracting the virus.
"Videos of Icke making these claims have been viewed at least 30 million times."
This is good news but @Facebook and @YouTube must go further and remove the network of shadowy channels and accounts that promote Icke on their platforms. @Twitter, get off your butts and act now too. https://t.co/28e8PlQFQD
- Imran Ahmed (@Imi_Ahmed) May 2, 2020
While saying the ban was 'good news', Imran Ahmed, chief executive of the CCDH, said in a tweet that both Facebook and YouTube 'must go further' and remove the network of 'shadowy channels and accounts that promote Icke'.
He also urged Twitter to 'act now', suggesting he felt the social media platform should ban Icke too.
According to Sky, Icke's YouTube channel more than 900,000 subscribers at the time it was taken down by YouTube.
Featured Image Credit: PA
Topics: UK News, News, Coronavirus, YouTube
