YouTube CEO says Trump’s account will only be restored once threat of political violence recedes

Ex-president lost access to platform in wake of Capitol violence

Donald Trump’s YouTube suspension will only be lifted when the risk of political violence declines, the platform’s CEO has revealed.

Susan Wojcicki said that at present the company saw an “elevated risk” and would monitor government and law enforcement activity to decide when the time was right to let the former president use his account again.

The video sharing site, which is owned by Google, suspended Mr Trump’s account on 12 January, a week after his supporters had attacked the US Capitol.

YouTube’s first suspension of Mr Trump was automatic and for seven days after a video uploaded to the account violated its guidelines.

The company then extended the former president’s suspension indefinitely.

Mr Trump was quickly banned from Facebook and Twitter following the 6 January riot, which saw an attempt to prevent the certification of Joe Biden’s election victory, citing the risk of further violence.

“I do want to confirm that we will lift the suspension of the channel ... when we determine that the risk of violence has decreased,” said Susan Wojcicki at an Atlantic Council event

“Where we stand today it’s hard for me to say when that’s going to be, but it’s pretty clear that right now where we stand that there still is that elevated risk of violence.”

Ms Wojcicki told the event the the firm will look at a string of signals to determinate level of risk.

She said this would include government warnings, law enforcement activities and rhetoric that YouTube monitors on its site.

Twitter has already said that Mr Trump’s suspension from its platform is permanent.

Facebook says that its suspension of Mr Trump’s account is indefinite and that his ban will be reviewed by the social media giant’s Oversight Board.