ToplineYouTube banned Sen. Rand Paul's uploads to YouTube for seven days after the Kentucky Republican posted last week a video arguing that most masks don't work against coronavirus. The company stated Tuesday that this was the second Republican lawmaker to be suspended from social media platforms due to false Covid-19 claims.Rand Paul (R-Ky.), speaks at a Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearing on July 20, 2021 in Washington, DC. Getty ImagesThe Key FactsSix days ago, Paul claimed that cloth masks don't work and most over-the counter masks don't prevent infection. (In reality, experts in public health have stated that cloth masks provide at least some protection from Covid-19). Paul was suspended for one week. YouTube claimed that Paul's video violated Covid-19's medical misinformation rules. This bans users from claiming that masks are not effective at stopping the coronavirus spreading. Paul's YouTube account remains visible but the video was removed. He can't upload new content the following week.Chief CriticPaul stated in a Tuesday press release that he believes this type of censorship to be very dangerous. He also said that it was incredibly anti-free speech and anti-progressive science. Science involves argumentation and skepticism to find the truth.Important QuoteA YouTube spokesperson stated that we apply our policies uniformly across the platform, regardless if speakers or political views. We also make exceptions for videos with additional context, such as countervailing views by local health authorities.What to WatchThe company stated that Paul's YouTube account was subject to a first strike. If another video is taken down by Paul, he could be subject to a suspension of two weeks. A third violation could lead to a permanent ban from YouTube.TangentMarjorie Taylor Greene, a controversial freshman representative from Georgia, was also denied access to a social networking platform this week. Her office announced Tuesday that she was removed from Twitter for seven consecutive days after posting a false claim about the effectiveness of coronavirus vaccines. Greene had been previously removed from Twitter last month for claiming that the coronavirus was not dangerous for most young people.Continue readingMarjorie Taylor Greene Suspended from Twitter (Again), For Covid Misinformation. (Forbes).
