Susan Wojcicki, YouTube CEO.
Michael Newberg | CNBC
YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki said on Thursday that the platform will suspend the suspension of former President Donald Trump’s account as soon as the risk of violence decreases.
Google’s video-sharing website suspended the account for the first time on January 12, almost a week after the US Capitol insurrection, when lawmakers tried to certify President Joe Biden’s victory in the elections. Facebook and Twitter had previously suspended Trump’s accounts, citing the risk of further violence. YouTube said Trump’s account tried to upload a video that violated his policies, giving him an automatic seven-day suspension under his policies. Subsequently, he extended this suspension.
“I want to confirm that we will suspend the suspension of the channel … when we determine that the risk of violence has decreased,” said Wojcicki at an event organized by the Atlantic Council, a think tank. She said she would remain subject to the same policies as other accounts.
“Where we are today, it is difficult for me to say when this is going to be, but it is quite clear that now where we are that there is still a high risk of violence,” she said.
Wojcicki said the company will analyze several signals to determine whether the risk has changed. This includes government statements and warnings, increased police presence and rhetorical YouTube monitors on their own platform.
Although Wojcicki made it clear that he expects YouTube to reinstate Trump’s account, Twitter said Trump’s suspension is permanent. Facebook said its suspension is indefinite and has forwarded the ban to the independent Supervisory Board for review. Until it received a suggestion from that council, Facebook said Trump’s suspension would remain in effect.
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