YouTube Agrees to Pay Trump $24.5 Million to Settle Lawsuit Over Capitol Riot Suspension
In a significant settlement, YouTube has agreed to pay President Donald Trump $24.5 million to resolve a lawsuit filed against the video platform after it suspended his account in the wake of the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol. The settlement comes after social media sites XTwitter and Facebook also agreed to pay Trump for suspending his accounts.
According to court papers filed on Monday, YouTube's parent company Alphabet, which also owns Google, will pay $24.5 million (approximately £18.6 million) to settle the lawsuit. This is in addition to the settlements reached by XTwitter and Facebook, which have not been disclosed. Trump had accused YouTube and other tech companies of political bias, claiming they had unfairly censored conservative voices after the Capitol riot.
The suspension of Trump's account on January 6, 2021, was a result of the platform's policies against inciting violence. At the time, social media companies were under scrutiny for their handling of misinformation and hate speech leading up to the Capitol attack. According to an NPR report, "YouTube will pay $24 million to President Trump to resolve a 2021 lawsuit that claimed he was the victim of censorship when the site suspended his account following the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol by Trump's supporters."
The lawsuit was filed in 2021, and its resolution marks a significant development in the ongoing debate over social media regulation and free speech. "This settlement is a testament to the importance of protecting free speech and preventing censorship," said a spokesperson for Trump's team, although no further comment was provided.
Experts say that this settlement highlights the complexities of regulating social media platforms and balancing free speech with the need to prevent harm. "Social media companies are caught between two competing interests: on one hand, they have a responsibility to protect users from misinformation and hate speech; on the other hand, they must also respect the rights of their users to express themselves freely," said Dr. Emily Bell, director of the Tow Center for Digital Journalism at Columbia University.
The settlement is currently pending court approval, but it is expected to be finalized in the coming weeks. The move comes as social media companies continue to grapple with issues related to misinformation, hate speech, and free speech. As the debate over social media regulation continues, this settlement serves as a reminder of the complexities involved in balancing competing interests.
In related news, Trump's team has announced plans to build a ballroom at the White House, which is expected to be completed by 2024. However, details on the project have not been disclosed.
Background:
The January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol was a significant event in American history, resulting in five deaths and numerous injuries. Social media companies were under scrutiny for their handling of misinformation and hate speech leading up to the attack. In response, many platforms suspended or banned Trump's accounts, citing policies against inciting violence.
The lawsuit filed by Trump claimed that YouTube and other tech companies had unfairly censored conservative voices after the Capitol riot. The settlement marks a significant development in the ongoing debate over social media regulation and free speech.
Sources:
BBC Technology: "YouTube to pay $24.5m to settle Trump lawsuit over Capitol riot"
NPR News: "YouTube agrees to pay Trump $24 million to settle lawsuit over Jan. 6 suspension"
BBC Business: "YouTube to pay $24.5m to settle Trump lawsuit over Capitol riot"
This story was compiled from reports by BBC Technology, BBC Business and NPR News.
