Google-owned YouTube has threatened to ban any users who question the effectiveness of face masks. Buried in the Big Tech platform’s “COVID-19 medical misinformation policy” are clauses that allow YouTube to bar anyone who dares contest information regarding masks or “contradict local health authorities or WHO.” [tweet_embed] December 2, 2021[/tweet_embed] Youtube then goes on to detail what content is outlawed. For example, content that denies the existence of COVID-19. They then list the following: Denial that COVID-19 exists; Claims that people have not died or gotten sick from COVID-19, Claims that the virus no longer exists or that the pandemic is over; Claims that the symptoms, death rates, or contagiousness of COVID-19 are less severe or equally as severe as the common cold or seasonal flu; Claims that the symptoms of COVID-19 are never severe. In addition, diagnostic misinformation is not allowed. This includes content that promotes diagnostic methods that contradict local health authorities or WHO. Listed are the following: Claims that approved COVID-19 tests are dangerous or cause negative physical health effects; Claims that approved COVID-19 tests cannot diagnose COVID-19 “Claims that wearing a mask is dangerous or causes negative physical health effects” and “Claims that masks do not play a role in preventing the contraction or transmission of COVID-19” both violate the Big Tech company’s “misinformation” terms and conditions. Further in the policy, YouTube clarifies that “Claims that wearing a mask causes oxygen levels to drop to dangerous levels,” “Claims that masks cause lung cancer or brain damage,” and “Claims that wearing a mask gives you COVID-19” will also be punished. [tweet_embed] December 2, 2021[/tweet_embed] Other censored terminology and phrases include “Content that recommends use of Ivermectin or Hydroxychloroquine for the treatment of COVID-19” and “Claims that an approved COVID-19 vaccine will cause death, infertility, miscarriage, autism, or contraction of other infectious diseases.” Any content that is deemed unacceptable under these terms could be punished with immediate removal and a strike. Repeat violators are subject to losing their channel or account. “If you get 3 strikes within 90 days, your channel will be terminated. You can learn more about our strikes system here,” the policy notes. “We may also terminate your channel or account after a single case of severe abuse, or when the channel is dedicated to a policy violation,” YouTube states. [tweet_embed] December 2, 2021[/tweet_embed] In the policy, YouTube reserves the right to grant an exception to violating videos “if that content includes additional context in the video, audio, title, or description.” “This is not a free pass to promote misinformation,” YouTube asserts.