WASHINGTON — Google told House lawmakers Tuesday that it would reinstate YouTube accounts that the Biden administration “pressed” them to “remove” over content related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Alphabet chief counsel Daniel Donovan told members of the House Judiciary that the 46th administration “created a political atmosphere that sought to influence the actions of platforms based on their concerns regarding misinformation.”
“It is unacceptable and wrong when any government, including the Biden Administration, attempts to dictate how the Company [Alphabet] moderates content,” Donovan wrote, “and the Company has consistently fought against those efforts on First Amendment grounds.”
Users including current FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino, now-White House counterterrorism chief Sebastian Gorka and “War Room” podcast host Steve Bannon had been yanked off the video site in recent years after being flagged for repeated violations of COVID-19” and “elections integrity” policies.
Those users will now be able “to rejoin the platform,” according to Donovan’s letter, a copy of which was obtained by The Post.
The Alphabet attorney also claimed in his missive to Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) that YouTube “never” prohibited posting related to COVID origins, and the site never “operated a fact-checking program” either.
“YouTube takes seriously the importance of protecting free expression and access to a range of viewpoints,” Donovan said.
“YouTube values conservative voices on its platform and recognizes that these creators have extensive reach and play an important role in civic discourse.”
Alphabet also expressed appreciation for the “accountability” that Jordan’s panel provided through a years-long investigation into potential violations of First Amendment rights on its platforms.
The move comes after the Judiciary Committee’s probe of Meta concluded with Facebook ending third-party fact-checking on its platform.
GOP state attorney generals had charged in a series of lawsuits during the Biden administration that the federal government infringed on Americans’ speech by pressuring various big tech platforms.
In July 2023, Louisiana US District Court Judge Terry Doughtydetermined that the White House likely colluded with Big Tech to censor protected speech during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“During … a period perhaps best characterized by widespread doubt and uncertainty, the United States Government seems to have assumed a role similar to an Orwellian ‘Ministry of Truth,’” Doughty wrote at the time decision.
The Biden administration defended its actions by saying it was merely making requests that tech companies remove suspected misinformation, rather than demands.
Doughty’s ruling was overturned by the Supreme Court in June 2024, with the justices finding the state AGs lacked standing to bring the case.
