YouTube suspends Trump's channel

Donald Trump's channel can't upload new videos or livestreams for a minimum of seven days, which...
Donald Trump's channel can't upload new videos or livestreams for a minimum of seven days, which may be extended, YouTube says. Photo: Reuters
YouTube has suspended Donald Trump's channel as it violated policies for inciting violence after last week's assault on the US Capitol by the president's supporters.

Online platforms and social media companies are distancing themselves from, and taking action against, those that encouraged or engaged in the violence in Washington, DC, on January 6.

Trump's channel is now prevented from uploading new videos or livestreams for a minimum of seven days, which may be extended, Youtube, which is owned by Alphabet Inc, said in a statement.

The company has also indefinitely disabled comments under videos on the channel.

The suspension of Trump's channel came after comments that he made at a news conference, which was streamed on the platform on Tuesday morning, the company said.

YouTube's action against the presidnt comes after US civil rights groups told Reuters that they were set to organise an advertiser boycott against the company if it does not remove Trump's channel.

Supporters of Trump stormed the US Capitol, trying to halt the certification by Congress of President-elect Joe Biden's election win.

Trump, who has challenged the validity of Biden's victory without producing evidence, initially praised his supporters but later condemned the violence.

Lawmakers were forced to flee as the building was mobbed by protesters who overwhelmed security forces. Five people died in the violence, including one Capitol Police officer.

After the incident, Twitter and Facebook removed Trump's accounts and have been eliminating content supporting last week's assault, while Amazon.com Inc suspended Parler, a social media platform favoured by many supporters of Trump, from its web hosting service.

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