YouTube need to pay $24.5 Million to Donald Trump; Know why?

YouTube blocked Trump’s account after the January 6, 2021, Capitol Hill violence. YouTube argued that Trump’s posts posed a risk of inciting violence. Trump challenged this decision and filed a lawsuit against Google (YouTube’s parent company).

New Delhi: The long legal battle between former US President Donald Trump and the video-sharing platform YouTube has finally ended. According to court documents, YouTube has agreed to pay $24.5 million (approximately ₹217 crore) to settle Trump's lawsuit. This amount will be spent on the White House State Ballroom project.

Why Was Trump's Account Suspended?

YouTube blocked Trump's account after the January 6, 2021, Capitol Hill violence. YouTube argued that Trump's posts posed a risk of inciting violence. Trump challenged this decision and filed a lawsuit against Google (YouTube's parent company).

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Trump's Allegations And YouTube's Argument

Trump claimed he was removed from social media based on "arbitrary and vague rules." YouTube, meanwhile, told the court that it is not a government agency, and therefore its decision cannot be considered a violation of freedom of expression.

Terms of Settlement

Under the agreement:

Trump will receive $22 million for the White House project.

$2.5 million will be given to his associates and organizations like the American Conservative Union.

This is not the first time a tech company has reached a settlement with Trump. In January, Meta (Facebook) paid $25 million, while Elon Musk's company X settled its case with Trump in February by paying $10 million.

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Expert Opinion

Experts believe that many of Trump's claims were legally weak. This is because the First Amendment of the US Constitution does not apply to private companies. Despite this, Trump continued to pursue legal action against Big Tech companies.

With this settlement, the dispute between Trump and YouTube has been resolved amicably. Trump has received sufficient funds for the White House project, while YouTube has also resolved the controversy surrounding its platform.