YouTube took action against conservative commentator Dan Bongino’s channel Friday, suspending it for violating the platform’s COVID-19 misinformation policy and demonetizing it for at least 30 days.
The weeklong posting suspension stems from a video where Bongino said that masks are “useless” in stopping the spread of the disease.
YouTube’s COVID-19 policy specifically prohibits content denying the effectiveness of wearing masks, which the vast majority of the scientific community agrees reduces the risk of infection.
The video was Bongino’s first “strike” under the policy, resulting in a one-week suspension from posting.
If the Bongino account violates the policy again within a 90-day window, a two-week suspension would be applied. If a third violation were accrued in the same timeframe, the channel would be permanently removed.
YouTube also removed Bongino’s channel from its Partner Program, which allows users to monetize their content through advertising, on Friday for “repeatedly violating” guidelines on harmful and dangerous acts. A company spokesperson declined to specify what remark triggered the removal from the program.
Bongino, who currently hosts shows on Fox News and Fox Nation, will be able to reapply for the program in 30 days if the underlying issues that led to the removal are addressed.