Key Takeaways
- YouTube banned and then reinstated Ben Perrin's BTC Sessions channel after public outcry.
- The channel featured nine years of Bitcoin educational content with over 16 million views.
- Community pressure prompted YouTube to admit the removal was a mistake and restore the channel.
YouTube removed the BTC Sessions channel, run by Bitcoin educator Ben Perrin, earlier this week, citing what it described as “severe or repeated violations” related to the promotion of illegal activities, such as unauthorized system access or hacking.
The channel, which had produced nearly a decade of Bitcoin educational content and garnered over 16 million views, was suddenly taken offline.
Perrin posted on X:L
YOUTUBE JUST BANNED ME. THANKS @TeamYouTube, I was only working on that for 9 years
Community defends btc sessions
Prominent Bitcoin advocates, including Parker Lewis, Lyn Alden, and Walker, criticized the removal, with Walker calling the takedown “absurd.”
Many argued the ban was likely the result of an algorithmic error, emphasizing the channel’s focus on self-custody and scam prevention.
One supporter, mcshane, wrote:
There is nothing remotely harmful or dangerous about this channel.
YouTube admits error
After a wave of public support and online protest, YouTube reviewed the decision.
TeamYouTube later confirmed the removal was a mistake:
Confirming this was a mistake on our end and your channel has been reinstated.
YouTube indicated that full restoration of videos and content would occur within 24 to 48 hours.
Perrin thanks supporters
Following the reinstatement, Perrin expressed gratitude:
Thank you all for the overwhelming swell of support, that was unreal.
Many in the community encouraged him to back up content on decentralized or censorship-resistant platforms like Rumble.
The incident has reignited debate over tech platform moderation and digital censorship in the Bitcoin space.
