YouTube delete conspiracy theorist David Icke’s account after he made unproven coronavirus claims

YouTube deletes conspiracy theorist David Icke’s account after he made unproven claims about coronavirus

  • YouTube said David Icke violated its policies on sharing coronavirus information
  • The former footballer, 68, made controversial unproven claims about the virus
  • The ban follows a similar move by Facebook, who removed Icke’s page on Friday
  • Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19

YouTube have deleted conspiracy theorist David Icke’s account after he made unproven claims about coronavirus.

The video-sharing site said the 68-year-old violated its policies on sharing information about coronavirus.

The former footballer made controversial unproven claims about the virus on several internet platforms, including one that it is linked to the 5G mobile network.  

Former footballer David Icke was removed from YouTube for making controversial unproven claims about coronavirus online, including one that it is linked to the 5G mobile network

‘YouTube has clear policies prohibiting any content that disputes the existence and transmission of Covid-19 as described by the WHO and the NHS,’ the video service, owned by Google, told the BBC.

‘Due to continued violation of these policies we have terminated David Icke’s YouTube channel.’

The ban follows a similar move by Facebook, who removed Icke’s page from their site on Friday.

Famous medics including Dr Christian Jessen and former junior doctor Adam Kay have called on social networks to remove Icke from their platforms. 

Dr Christian Jessen called on social networks to remove David Icke after he shared unproven coronavirus claims on YouTube and was removed from Facebook

Former junior medic and author Adam Kay wanted Icke removed from social networks after his coronavirus conspiracies were viewed more than 30 million times

Famous medics including Dr Christian Jessen (left) and former junior doctor Adam Kay have called on social networks to remove David Icke from their platforms

They are backed by the Centre for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH), who claim Icke’s conspiracies over Covid-19 have been viewed more than 30 million times. 

CCDH’s chief executive Imran Ahmed said: ‘We commend YouTube on bowing to pressure and taking action on David Icke’s channel.

‘However, there remains a network of channels and shadowy amplifiers, who promote Mr Icke’s content (and) need to be removed.’

They asked for other networks to follow the lead adding: ‘It is time for Instagram and Twitter to follow Facebook and YouTube by acting to remove Icke and his content from their platforms.

‘Lies cost lives in a global pandemic, and their failure to act promptly puts us all at risk.’