YouTube permanently banned controversial creator LeafyIsHere, after his series of Pokimane videos.
The move comes after as the platform wants to crack down further on potential creator-on-creator harassment.
Perma-ban
Calvin Lee Vail, better known as LeafyIsHere, has been banned permanently on YouTube for repeatedly violating the company’s harassment policies.
This decision follows the big changes being implemented to YouTube’s harassment policy, in hopes of deterring any behavior that may have helped creators like Leafy (in the commentary community) develop a following.
Vail has a blatant history of making videos that include offensive comments about other creators on the platform.
In a now-deleted video from 2016, he even went on to mock the appearance of another creator.
However, it was only until his channel gathered at least three violations of YouTube’s harassment policy over the last 90 days that he was handed the termination.
Other controversial videos in question included cyberbullying (malicious insults and name-calling based on someone’s appearance, gender, or orientation) and even encouraging his audience to disrupt other creators’ streams.
A YouTube spokesperson confirmed:
“We have strict policies that prohibit harassment on YouTube, and we remove content that violates our policies when flagged to our attention,”
“Channels that repeatedly violate our policies will be terminated.”
Vail’s ban is confirmed to be permanent, but he confirmed that he didn’t receive any emails or notice about specific videos prior to the ban.
The YouTuber was close to 5 million subscribers at the time of his ban. Prior to his ban, he was at the center of a few high-profile disputes with H3H3’s Ethan Klein and Twitch streamer Pokimane.
Pokimane involvement?
It’s important to note how Leafy’s YouTube channel ban comes not long after his infamous series of videos calling out popular Twitch streamer Pokimane.
While it’s not clear if those videos are exactly a part of the reason for his ban, many fans speculate it seems like it.
Pokimane herself has tweeted about Leafy’s ban, saying that she had nothing to do with it.
“i know i’m going to get asked this, so i’d like to clarify i had nothing to do with leafy’s ban.”
Leafy has publicly reached out to YouTube representatives to see if there was anything that he could do to get his channel reinstated or if the platform would release a statement regarding his permanent ban.
“Morning @TeamYouTube my channel was suspended yesterday, curious if there is anything I could do to get it reinstated. Or if there is any statement on this you could give on this”
Leafy made a name for himself for making controversial “drama” videos, with his notorious commentaries often playing over gameplay footage of various FPS titles.
Until YouTube provides a detailed and more specific information on Leafy’s permanent ban and what exactly went into the decision, all fans can do at the moment is speculate.
