YouTube channel LeafyIsHere has been terminated. YouTube says the reason for the channel’s termination is Leafy violated its policies against harassment multiple times.
In an interview with Tubefilter, YouTube says that Leafy violated its Community Guidelines three times in one 90-day period. If a channel violates YouTube’s policies three times, it constitutes channel termination. YouTube didn’t specifically say when videos violated its policies. However, the platform did say Leafy violated its harassment and cyberbullying policy updated in December 2019. The updated policy states that creators who “repeatedly target, insult, and abuse an identifiable individual based on their intrinsic attributes across multiple uploads” are violating YouTube’s Community Guidelines.
“We have strict policies that prohibit harassment on YouTube, and we remove content that violates our policies when flagged to our attention,” YouTube told Tubefilter of Leafy’s channel ban. “Channels that repeatedly violate our policies will be terminated.”
It’s not clear which LeafyIsHere videos led to the termination
Calvin Vail, better known as Leafy online, has been posting to YouTube since 2013. He focused on posting videos about first-person shooter games, such as Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. In total, he had 4 million subscribers on his channel. However, he’s also lived through several controversies during his time on YouTube. He has been called out for making fun of people with learning disabilities and autism and has been accused of making transphobic comments about Milo Steward, another YouTube creator. He went on a two-year hiatus and returned this April. However, it seems that his return would be short lived.
Leafy tweeted out August 22nd that his channel was suspended and asked YouTube if there was anything he can do to reinstate it. In the tweet’s thread, he revealed that he didn’t receive any notifications about strikes. Instead, he just got word of his suspension. He also said that he isn’t aware which video led to his channel’s termination.
Recently, he released videos concerning Twitch’s most-followed female streamer, Pokimane. He has made a few videos making fun of Pokimane, painting her as boring, unfunny while criticizing her physical appearance. He also alleged she had a secret boyfriend she was hiding from her fans. While YouTube didn’t say if these videos were a part of the decision to terminate his channel, this may be why.
What does this mean for YouTube creators?
While the LeafyIsHere ban isn’t exactly surprising to the community, the channel’s termination is concerning. It demonstrates how different YouTube is now to how it was back in 2010. With YouTube’s new creator-on-creator harassment policy, many believe that what YouTube considers harassment is muddy. Many argue that Leafy’s termination should be reversed because his videos intended to be humorous and shouldn’t be taken seriously. Many worry YouTube will begin to terminate more controversial channels overnight, forgoing the three strike process.
“Even if you aren’t a fan of his videos, Leafy’s termination is very, very, concerning,” tweeted John Scarce, YouTube news reporter. “Leafy being terminated now means any of us could be next.”
Image courtesy: LeafyIsHere
Its sad.after being a you tube member for many years my account was terminated. I didnt do anything wrong and I sent multiple emails pleading with them to restore my account.I have family videos saved that i will never be able to get back. very heartbreaking.