Tone Vays’s Popular Crypto Trading Channel Was Banned By YouTube
YouTube continues to restrict, and outright ban accounts, producing cryptocurrency-related content. In its latest strike, the popular video content sharing platform closed the account of one of the most popular Bitcoin analysts and vocal members of the community, Tone Vays.
The decision to suspend Vays' account is an explicit message to make sure they follow through with this dictatorial move. With no indication of when the account will be reactivated, anyone who supports free speech is seriously concerned. It is unfortunate that YouTube still does not fully understand what censorship is, nor why those who oppose online content should be treated so shabbily. What is even worse is that these mistakes will potentially have dire consequences as free speech should be protected not only in the free market.
In a detailed Twitter thread, the analyst shared that he was banned by YouTube and that a video that he uploaded this morning was removed for being “harmful and dangerous.”
Tone was one of the most popular pundits among the Bitcoin community. His YouTube videos, many of which provide straightforward, easy-to-understand information regarding Bitcoin and other cryptocurrency-related matters, have amassed thousands of subscribers. In November 2014, Tone was also a key spokesperson on the cryptocurrency Reddit forum, organizing a series of exchanges between users from different cryptocurrencies, including BTC and LTC.
Tone has made many appearances on the popular Bitcoin news show, On the Block, where he highlights the impact of the digital currency on the world and explains why he is opposed to a government agency. As it was previously reported, BitPay's attempt to build a digital wallet for Bitcoin came to a screeching halt due to BitPay's agreement with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Vays, speaking to VentureBeat about the closure of his account on BitPay's platform, stated that, "We were blocked.
“So that escalated quickly → from a single video warning to the ENTIRE CHANNEL being taken down by YouTube. If TeamYouTube can’t resolve this, might be a career change in the near future. Will just trade during the day & have a nutrition channel at night.”
Vays' accounts were deleted without any prior warning. It's difficult to find concrete numbers of what YouTube has done or not done to push back against cryptocurrency content, as the platform has yet to respond to multiple requests for comment. Earlier this year, YouTube took an ad-supported view on the CME Group's Bitcoin futures launch, and the company has denied any plans to impose a blackout His account was closed as a result of the company's increasing bans on cryptocurrency content.