YouTube Attacks Crypto: The Best Alternative Video Sites for Bitcoin
First, they came for content from conservative commentators and organizations, then they came for crypto.
YouTube has banned crypto videos under the pretext that the content violates its terms of use.
The platform – or publisher? – apparently took down videos that had some kind of crypto element or were associated with accounts that belong to cryptocurrency supporters.
YouTube cited violations regarding the “sale of regulated goods policy” or due to the alleged promotion of “harmful and dangerous” content.
These bans highlight the problem of centralization and the power that YouTube has over the content published.
Best YouTube Alternative Video Sites
Here are some of the better options for content creators in the Bitcoin or cryptocurrency space. There are advantages and disadvantages to each.
While none of them are as big as YouTube, your content is safer and less likely to be removed under false pretenses.
Our Top Choice:
LBRY
Calling themselves “the best decentralized content platform on the web”, we would agree and a lot of crypto content creators have already migrated across.
Thanks for covering LBRY @Cointelegraph
One ackchyually: you write we are “not being utilized by many YouTubers”
More than 20,000 YouTubers (some ex-) publish to LBRY, incl 35 over 1m subs, 200+ over 100k+@veritasium @Timcast @jordanbpeterson @minutephysics @eevblog etc https://t.co/73AkFPSJWP— LBRY (@LBRYio) December 25, 2019
Other Good Alternatives to YouTube
D.Tube
While not as big as LRBY, D.Tube’s sole focus is decentralization and they’re clearly targeting YouTube with their branding and messaging. Try D.Tube
BitChute
A P2P decentralized video platform focusing on individual rights and freedom to expression. Since 2016 already with big names like Naomi Brockwell and others. Check out BitChute
Vimeo
Vimeo is not decentralized and does not focus on crypto but they are the biggest platform in the list and have historically been more favorable to Bitcoin content. Watch on Vimeo
BitTubers.com
BitTubers is another relatively new platform aimed at more effective social media monetization and access for all. Join BitTubers.com
DLive.tv
DLive is a streaming platform based on the Lino Network value sharing content economy. Take part in DLive.tv
There are other alternatives and we’ll be checking them out, especially as this YouTube crypto attack continues.
Please let us know your experience with other platforms and what is mentioning!
YouTube Accounts Affected
So far, prominent accounts have suffered the brunt of the ban due to alleged policy violations.
These re just some of the creators that have come out on Twitter claiming that they were targeted:
- Chris Dunn
- BTC-Sessions
- Node Investor
- Chico Crypto
- Ivan on Tech
- BoxMining
- And more each day
All these content creators have tens of thousands of subscribers on their YouTube channels.
Not Only YouTube
The issue here is clearly centralization. Although there are some legal provisions in place that might help content creators in the US, courts and governments might be reluctant to apply them.
Content censorship, meanwhile, has spread like wildfire across social media. YouTube is just one of the many platforms/publishers that are pursuing Bitcoin or cryptocurrency-related content.
Facebook is the other prominent social media platform/publisher to ban crypto content.
The Ban Goes Beyond Crypto Content
Bitcoin and cryptocurrency enthusiasts were not the first one to be affected by YouTube and Facebook terms and conditions.
Conservative content creators have complained about a heavy-handed approach towards their content on YouTube as well as Twitter, highlighting the problems with centralization even further.
The truth is that as long as these platforms/publishers control the servers and can count on the kind of financial resources they have mustered so far, the legal battle is doomed to fail.
Decentralization is the only effective solution to this problem.
Lawsuit Against YouTube
The case that Prager University has recently put forth against YouTube highlights how difficult it is for courts or governments to uphold the law when it comes to tech giants.
Despite the fact that there is a clear legal difference between being a publisher and a platform, it seems that YouTube and other outlets operate as hybrids.
This is Prager U’s argument: If YouTube is a platform, then it must operate under the provisions of the first amendment – freedom of speech – in the US.
This means that it cannot ban content it deems “offensive” or “harmful.”
If YouTube is a publisher, then it can ban content according to its own policies, but then it will also be legally liable for the content uploaded to every YouTube channel
Decentralize to Fight the YouTube Crypto Ban
This legal fight might take years and Prager U could well lose. Nonetheless, legal action together with other notable events, have shifted the focus back to crypto, ironically.
YouTube and other social media platforms/publishers could well be replaced by a decentralized, censorship-resistant platform.
In the realm of funding, there is an alternative already. Following the ban of certain content creators from Patreon, prominent figures like Dave Rubin and Jordan Peterson decided to close their accounts there.
An alternative to Patreon, Bitbacker.io, grew from within the Bitcoin community to provide a solution for content creators.
A decentralized content platform would be the next generation of solutions that cryptocurrency enthusiasts could come up with to curtail the power that providers like YouTube have garnered.
YouTube Crypto Ban: A Unifying Force
This YouTube crypto ban could also serve to unify the crypto community around a crucial goal. It also has the potential to bring more allies in an effort to provide an alternative to the centralized internet.
The community has the skills to set up a decentralized alternative for content creators, thanks to the vast wealth of knowledge that cypherpunks and others have.
They only need an incentive, and YouTube’s crypto ban in the middle of Christmas, might just be it.