The claim is partly true but needs clarification. YouTube has recently changed its long-standing rule that permanently banned creators could never return to the platform. In 2025, the company announced a pilot reinstatement program allowing some creators, mainly those banned under outdated COVID-19 or election misinformation policies, to apply to rejoin. This policy shift was confirmed by Business Insider, which reported that Alphabet (YouTube’s parent company) told U.S. lawmakers it would “provide an opportunity for all creators to rejoin” if their bans were tied to policies no longer in effect (Business Insider, 2025).
However, this move marks a departure from YouTube’s standard rule, which has long prohibited permanently banned creators from returning or opening new channels. The platform is not reinstating everyone—only those whose bans fall under the limited scope of this new program. The Verge explained that creators banned for hate speech, harassment, or copyright violations are still barred from rejoining (The Verge, 2025). In other words, YouTube is selectively relaxing its permanent ban policy while keeping its broader enforcement standards intact. This partial rollback has raised debate because it technically breaks from YouTube’s traditional “no return after termination” rule, suggesting a new, more flexible approach to content moderation; but only for certain cases, not a universal reinstatement.
