YouTube Phone

The Network Neighborhood icon, appearing in Windows 95 and NT4, allowed people to share files between computers connected on a home network. At universities and LAN parties, people used to make copies of the videos they watched, long before the growth of large video sharing websites. YouTube did so well during the video hosting wars that it was purchased by Google. Being a massive monolith of a video sharing website, it’s also rife with censorship. I archive videos that I find interesting, which are also at high risk of disappearing. I wrote a program called Youboot to scan my collection of downloaded videos, and tell me which ones are no longer available and the reason they were removed. The best offense, in the war against thought-crime, is to watch the videos the powerful want to burn.

For years, I used the tools youtube-dl and it’s currently maintained fork, yt-dlp, as a Swiss Army Knife for downloading videos from websites. I’ve called its Python API directly from tools I’ve written to archive content from Locals and The Blaze. Years ago I found an excellent wrapper script for archiving videos. Over the years I’ve modified it, and the current form is a fish shell function that saves metadata and subtitles (both user created and auto-generated) into a standard path that includes the YouTube channel name, video title and YouTube ID.

#!/bin/fish

function yt
yt-dlp --add-metadata -f bestvideo+bestaudio --write-sub --write-auto-subs --sub-format srt/best --sub-lang en --embed-subs -o "/media/storage/streaming/youtube/%(uploader)s/%(title)s-%(id)s.%(ext)s" $argv[1]
end

I used to download everything before watching it, as the YouTube website just sucks from a user interface perspective. It’s only gone from bad to horrible. Today I use FreeTube for watching videos (and sometimes NewPipe on my phone, although I rarely watch videos on mobile). But I’ll still call this shell function on videos I want to archive, or suspect might disappear. Before I used this function, I’d just call youtube-dl or yt-dlp on the video URL. By default, these tools don’t store metadata, so not all the videos I’ve archived contain the channel name.

Using Youboot

Youboot is a Python application and will require the poetry build tool. You can setup Youboot using the following:

git clone https://gitlab.com/djsumdog/youboot
cd youboot
poetry install

The following command will scan a directory for videos that appear to have a YouTube video ID:

# Scan a directory for YouTube Videos
poetry run python -m youboot scan-directory /path/to/scan

# Assume the parent directory is the name of the channel
poetry run python -m youboot scan-directory --channel-name-in-path /media/storage/streaming/youtube

The regular expression1 for finding YouTube video IDs will likely scrape up some videos that are not downloaded from YouTube. They can be removed from future scans and reports by using the exclude-video command.

poetry run python -m youboot exclude-video 20_17-15-30
[23:39:22] INFO     Setting 20_17-15-30 as excluded

The pull-metadata command will attempt to retrieve YouTube metadata for each video. It will error out if a rate limit is encountered. When this happens, simply wait a while and try again.

[youtube] Extracting URL: https://youtube.com/watch?v=4ErvqnEFb-E
[youtube] 4ErvqnEFb-E: Downloading webpage
[youtube] 4ErvqnEFb-E: Downloading ios player API JSON
[youtube] 4ErvqnEFb-E: Downloading web creator player API JSON
ERROR: [youtube] 4ErvqnEFb-E: Sign in to confirm you’re not a bot. This helps protect our community. Learn more
Error Message from YouTube's Rate Limit

The command list-errors will output the unique list of errors returned when searching for YouTube metadata.

❯ poetry run python -m youboot list-errors
Error Formatted Error
Private video. Sign in if you’ve been granted access to this video Private Video
Video unavailable. This video is no longer available because the YouTube account associated with this video has been terminated. Account Terminated
Video unavailable. This video is not available in your country Country/Region Block
Video unavailable Video Unavailable
This video has been removed for violating YouTube’s policy on hate speech. Learn more about combating hate speech in your country. Hate Speech
Video unavailable. This video is no longer available because the uploader has closed their YouTube account. Uploader Closed Account
This video has been removed for violating YouTube’s Community Guidelines Community Guidelines
“Thinkers” Club (or any higher level). Join this channel to get access to members-only content and other exclusive perks. Subscription Required
Video unavailable. This video has been removed by the uploader Uploader Removed
Video unavailable. This video is no longer available due to a copyright claim by Journeyman Pictures Copyright Claim
This video has been removed for violating YouTube’s policy on nudity or sexual content Nudity/Sexually Explicit
Video unavailable. This video is no longer available due to a copyright claim by DV Media Management Copyright Claim
This video has been removed for violating YouTube’s policy on harassment and bullying Harassment/Bullying
This video has been removed for violating YouTube’s Terms of Service Terms of Service
This video has been removed for violating YouTube’s policy on violent or graphic content Violent/Graphic Content

list-removed-videos will print a table of removed in the console. The command export_csv will create a comma separated value file that can be opened with spreadsheet programs. totals will render a table of aggregated counts and percentages for each removal type. export_html_table can be used to generate HTML output, which I’ve used to create the table below.

Censored Videos

I scanned my storage drives, archives and backups to try to find all the YouTube videos I’ve downloaded. Out of the 1143 videos I have, 207 are no longer available for various reasons, and 21 are unlisted. 18% of the videos I’ve archived are no longer available on YouTube.

  # Videos % of all Videos
All Videos 1143  
Unlisted 21 1.84
Removed: Video Unavailable 87 7.61
Removed: Uploader Removed 2 0.17
Removed: Account Terminated 69 6.04
Removed: Community Guidelines 8 0.70
Removed: Private Video 27 2.36
Removed: Hate Speech 2 0.17
Removed: Subscription Required 1 0.09
Removed: Harassment/Bullying 1 0.09
Removed: Country/Region Block 2 0.17
Removed: Copyright Claim 2 0.17
Removed: Uploader Closed Account 2 0.17
Removed: Violent/Graphic Content 1 0.09
Removed: Nudity/Sexually Explicit 2 0.17
Removed: Terms of Service 1 0.09
Removed (Total) 207 18.11

Some of these videos are not missing for nefarious reasons. For example, someone might decide to share a video to paid supporters first. Then, they delete the original and upload a public release that removes mistakes, or adds suggestions, based on comments by supporters. Some videos might violate another entity’s copyright. A creator might discover a large factual mistake in a video, and remove it to prevent embarrassment or the spreading of a lie. But looking through the titles, it seems like an uncomfortable number of these videos may have been taken down for political reasons.

Video IDTitleChannelAvailability
yipyenW_blQIt's Getting Crazy Out Here At The Trump RallyMarcus RogersVideo Unavailable
prxnM4B4xcMThe Podcast of the Lotus Eaters #62The Podcast of the Lotus EatersVideo Unavailable
6XhW7fHwrcQThe Podcast of the Lotus Eaters #52The Podcast of the Lotus EatersVideo Unavailable
LPxFGKVl5HgThe Mostly Peaceful Capitol StormingThe Podcast of the Lotus EatersUploader Removed
tTIqMhzOXPABiden’s Hollow InaugurationThe Podcast of the Lotus EatersVideo Unavailable
z0jIydkSEFsThe Podcast of the Lotus Eaters #60The Podcast of the Lotus EatersVideo Unavailable
CuO5daHLKSEThe Podcast of the Lotus Eaters #48The Podcast of the Lotus EatersVideo Unavailable
vZQXhwOIF0oThe Podcast of the Lotus Eaters #53The Podcast of the Lotus EatersVideo Unavailable
KpT25G-Of4kVideo proves President Trump called on people to “PEACEFULLY & PATRIOTICALLY march to the Capital”ScienceSplatAccount Terminated
wxZuI_-nm38It's Not Over Yet!ShekinahWorshipTVVideo Unavailable
sJTs9BoTJy8Jovan Pulitzer - FULL TESTIMONY - Georgia Senate Hearing - 2020 Election Fraud - 30 Dec [PART 5] HDTed PikulVideo Unavailable
N_s_GqOleH8‘TRUTH’ With RFK, Jr and LA Attorney Ryan Keech on Judge Ruling Overturning Outdoor Dining BanChildren's Health DefenseAccount Terminated
XguQGkcDFAsThis Trump Supporter is an Instant LegendDiemon DaveAccount Terminated
6HlJl5CrTxoShawn Skelton Explains What the Moderna V🪓 Did to Her as She Convulses UncontrollablyHEFF TvAccount Terminated
NksN3_Ust_gI'm Blocked From Uploading to GooTube (and Other News)Corbett Report ExtrasCommunity Guidelines
eJJo28-Vfr8(UNLISTED After Only 12 Hours) The White House Cancels Biden's Inauguration Video - Poor RatingsGlobal AgendaAccount Terminated
CreVpaDZgOYLaw Professor responds to WOKE universityDavid K. ClementsVideo Unavailable
YqapUKkQSEUWar with the Deep StateSPEAK ProjectAccount Terminated
ficae6x1Q5AInterview with Source on Electronic Vote FraudCDMediaVideo Unavailable
ibU5KVFCg4YUSPS Whistleblower Richard Hopkins - “I DID NOT RECANT”Project VeritasVideo Unavailable
YAPXlgQKLvwRegistered Nurse Message.The News Junkie's CartoonsVideo Unavailable
V7z3JsVZwS4David fallThe 8-Bit GuyUnlisted
zARzOTfdMgATexas Tech Part 4The 8-Bit GuyVideo Unavailable
qh8Q5Wh-wBgAttack of the PETSCII Robots - Part 2The 8-Bit GuyVideo Unavailable
h7bKctz6LMUSuckless Devs are N_zis Time to CANCEL DWM!! 😡Mental OutlawPrivate Video
oJcEDzgPRrcI got banned from Facebook (as a millionaire).TechLeadPrivate Video
uEo3rnU12jwTHIS is a Meeting Privately Recorded in EDMONTON Alberta Canada last week!Agent Fearless Canuck Givvin'er SpoonzAccount Terminated
BYZ2XoaBO2ASo what exactly are white people superior at _ Keep it 100 - Black in America _ CutCutPrivate Video
-KfUe2cpPSk3 Dangers of Biden_Harris AdministrationGlenn GreenwaldUnlisted
UvYDlVkDh-cGet CYBERPUNK 2077 For 43$ and Annoy SJW's At the Same time! A Deal so good it MUST be True!ArchPrivate Video
pBCxG_SCnQECompany Towns with The Trillbillies│Means TVMEANS TVVideo Unavailable
QH2-TGUlwu4Nyan Cat [original]MEANS TVVideo Unavailable
mYJWiZkHE1kElection Day Threats - Violence & Voting Machines│Means Morning NewsMEANS TVVideo Unavailable
1Mqb6oC-3IEScott Adams - How Democrats Rigged The U.S ElectionScott Adams ClipsVideo Unavailable
cbTSUkA8xgIPreliminary Composite of GA VideoL isfortheWayAccount Terminated
u2gusKwFoVQFootage Of The Altercation That Happened In Olympia Washington On 12_05_2020 HT Black RebelThe Common Sense ConservativeAccount Terminated
bRsp7240hhEHave People Forgotten Where They AreTruthstream MediaPrivate Video
nQuwTdrVrg4Kill Chain - The Cyber War on America’s Elections _ Full Documentary for DEF CON _ HBOHBOUnlisted
Tq8SXOBy-4w'I CAN'T KEEP DOING THIS' - Doctor pleads for review of data during COVID-19 Senate hearingNewsNOW from FOXPrivate Video
BQrNaet6Fa8New World Next Year 2021corbettreportAccount Terminated
nuDQ_3g53qcWhat NO ONE is Saying About The LockdownscorbettreportAccount Terminated
UQvaQFdGLn8The Future of VaccinescorbettreportAccount Terminated
Yvl_7_Up7zUdonoteat this BONUS EPISODE 2 - KILLDOZER!donoteat01Unlisted
gYunK2OvI8UWhy do 'Corporate Art Styles' Feel FakeSolar SandsPrivate Video
8YHvGBWATnM2 Scots P&D & RRSB play '79th's Farewell to Gibraltar' - [4K_UHD]Jim RamsayPrivate Video
ZMHmzp3Jza4Pike Co. judge attacked during courtThisIsButterAccount Terminated
lKCTkLJbtT4Possible Leaked Roadmap for the Next Phase of the AgendaComputing ForeverAccount Terminated
jsOXMi1E0tQUnmasked - Have we uncovered the truth about the 2020 electionPure DataCommunity Guidelines
xaVKikQNJrAIS KAMALA HARRIS' HUSBAND CONNECTED TO SMARTMATIC_DOMINION VOTING SYSTEMS!Chrissy StaffordAccount Terminated
4tmlZCk2gCgWhat you need to know about the SolarWinds Supply-Chain AttackSANS SummitsUnlisted
tngnSuLsR4cEXPLOSIVE! Hillary FINALLY CAUGHT! Declassified CIA Docs Show MASSIVE CORRUPTION Involving Clinton!Liberal HivemindVideo Unavailable
oWXlKqcGEZgGeorgia to DECERTIFY Election Results!Doug TenNapelAccount Terminated
MpFqV4VaVO0What Caused the Voat Shutdown (Voat.co)WarmPotatoAccount Terminated
0I9r0L64t8cJoe Rogan Experience #1582 - Alex BerensonPowerfulJRE Top 1Video Unavailable
DbKhCvXEGTcAnthony FauciGold Institute for International StrategyUnlisted
7kJ1LrlkE-gPelosi Blames Trump For $600 Stimulus _ Plans to Add Trillions to 'Fix' BillSalty CrackerVideo Unavailable
T0ovxhm9fj8You Must NOT Do Your Own Research When It Comes To Science, Says Forbes👎Life In The Labyrinth 2Account Terminated
OxwuZEAJVfAChristmas 2020 Nashville, TN Bombing (multiple angles)tony bressieVideo Unavailable
pBKheo3kmrcTucker Carlson exposed media_Democrats lies about Brian Sicknick deathFaRaRiVideo Unavailable
PNxhHYUX1vEPREPARE TO BE SPEECHLESS.....VAXXX THAT THANG UP!A CALL FOR AN UPRISINGVideo Unavailable
u-_tJ1gmw_QEveryone needs to see this!Apocalyptic clipsVideo Unavailable
w2WbNKxE6gwAustralian Police Bash and Pepper spray 70-year old womanAussie CossackAccount Terminated
Q0DR5Z1MpdUFINAL WARNING FROM EX Pfizer Vice President Michael YeadonBella StingVideo Unavailable
wV9Rl6d2MysThe next pandemic is just around the corner!Cabin TalkAccount Terminated
vWa5HRX7tekGerman Grandma Toasts To Hitler!!!! 'Heil Hitler'Daily Hip-Hop NetworkHate Speech
zfqxCkJw0RkVaccine 'Emergency Use Authorization' & ivermectin (from Livestream #80)DarkHorse Podcast ClipsVideo Unavailable
ZwR7natWqLkMy Jaw DROPPED when I Tested Someone's Immune System After the 2nd JabDr. Nathan ThompsonCommunity Guidelines
Dzu5J4M4pBQElection Integrity - The Civil Rights Issue of Our Time _ Robert BarnesHillsdale CollegeUnlisted
xSrc_s2GqfwImpact of COVID Vaccinations on MortalityJoel SmalleyVideo Unavailable
NRO13v4-MwANoam Chomsky says the right response to unvaccinated is insist that they be isolated from societyJooish QueistchonAccount Terminated
SEsjvkIJlZsWAKE UP CALL _ Documentary 4K _ World Freedom Alliance - CopenhagenOracle Films UncensoredCommunity Guidelines
Wlqs4N3tDgoFans at Yankee Stadium drop a giant “Trump Won” sign.OutKickTheSportsVideo Unavailable
UB7FGO1Ldc8Act of 1871 (7_43)Photonic TruthAccount Terminated
vWMxHBuuP6U1666 Sabbatean-Frankist Illuminati HistoryRobert SepehrVideo Unavailable
DYAQ9HYdcdAFACTORIO REVIEW _ ℞ Ritalin Really HelpsSsethTzeentachUnlisted
gA3jcLOdvw4VACCINE FACTS - Watch This While You Can... _ Louder with CrowderStevenCrowderVideo Unavailable
9AIYqjgxk3gIT'S A MAN IN A SKIRT!! @Caitlyn Jenner #repent #RINOThe Black Conservative PreacherAccount Terminated
7Sc8VqvGdSkMathBoi Fly - HALF A TIKKET (prod. by DeeMarc)MathBoi FlyAccount Terminated
ELgtiyPtgl4A common question…Why all the 💉 injuriesDr. Nathan ThompsonCommunity Guidelines
ciuRLFLoLL0February 1, 2022Nicholas MortonUnlisted
0xd5lggt1PsPeople say lack of housing forces local residents into the streetsNews TodayVideo Unavailable
4Dddob2fXs8POLICE WON'T LET LADY BUY COFFEE IN OTTAWAmistersunshinebabyVideo Unavailable
rFTVCJr8-qgCanada Parliament ignores MP's Klaus Schwab question! #irnieracingNewsMarcel IrnieVideo Unavailable
-Q2lqVo_LhcI feel I have to get this information to you guys NOW!Cabin TalkAccount Terminated
kSkdSUjQYxYUkraine On Fire - Oliver Stone documentaryF1 TV NewsAccount Terminated
G3Iv1CBpEl4Unbelievable boots on the ground footage, Ukraine March 2022 What is going on here Lez Luthor clipsUnacceptable Fringe MinorityHate Speech
a-wkz3mxc-YUNCENSORED Will Smith punches Chris Rock and drops F-BOMB live on the Oscars 94th Academy AwardsMarin SuslicVideo Unavailable
QZ9aLIacUmcBiden pays farms to STOP - EU out of Feed - Meat taxes & Chicken permits - Up to you to GROW FOOD!Ice Age FarmerUnlisted
sGPkT5kbj0sSIX MONTHS TO COLOSSAL FOOD SHORTAGES - Attacks on Food Supply ChainYanasa TVSubscription Required
U0ZFwc69L0E2000 Miles Movie ( FULL MOVIE ENGLISH ) 𝐃𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐲 2022 - By Dinesh D'Souza Streaming _ OnprogresDinesh D'Souza in 2000 Mules DocumentaryAccount Terminated
-yZ16XLQ82U⚠️ Everyone Must Know This Before it is Deleted! (2022-2023)Anonymous OfficialVideo Unavailable
MOmbMPIisgIOdd Thing To Be Proud OfI'm not NormPrivate Video
pG2KmrLeJvg100-year-old veteran breaks down in tears at what America has becomeThe Night ShowVideo Unavailable
tBGRxhPSS0cRobert Crimo July 4th Highland Park parade Shooter OG Sky WatchVideo Unavailable
Ifvofnxh6gMTransphobic Star Wars Store Aberdeen Business OwnerHarassment/Bullying
Jktvh6k0qysDr. Christina Parks testimony for Michigan HB4471 on 8_19_21Community Guidelines
FrE27FTf11QHow Antifa and Other Far-Left Groups Exploit the Protests for ‘Revolution’Video Unavailable
-0n_kwO6j1oThe_Alex_Jones_Gun_Control_Debate_Music_ShowVideo Unavailable
lJC1unnuwdsUS Tank crushes Iraqi civilian's car 1Private Video
z4JECxddZBYPakistanis protest US drone strikesAccount Terminated
Mq62cZZ8SDsSyria - Europe should stop supporting terrorism to stop refugees - al-AssadCountry/Region Block
LR-tWOfy0iwAmerican Woman Protest Against Drone Strikes In Pakistan at Wilson Center in Washington, DCAccount Terminated
zRg3iM5LLfACHAZ - Seattle Car Tender break in and suspect. Raw livestream with full incident in descriptionUnlisted
uQwjEBicFXIBank Eat Bank - Bailout Encourages MergersAccount Terminated
QcwcOA_ED8wAudio from Portland reveals Patriots are being hunted in the streetsVideo Unavailable
bK9hPbSvcC0Clackamas County Police Captain Smith Tells Commissioners Antifa Starting Fires, Looting in OregonAccount Terminated
1Q46AoR80M4Žižek-peterson-debate clubCopyright Claim
Ij94xBbK84cIMG 0443Video Unavailable
iTBWn5ACtv8[MMD] GAY FROGS - RWBY YangUnlisted
uoRzaOpjqQg✅SE DESTAPA LA MENTIRA !! profesionales de Austria y Alemania REVELAN TODO !! 👹Private Video
NxOltvOfLIMBaked Alaska We Love Our Cops Official Video PROCOP PROMILITARY ANTHEM WOWAccount Terminated
mkqOYmttkbkPerspectives on the Pandemic The Undercover Epicenter Nurse Episode NineAccount Terminated
V_Z9AC9-oygBREAKING - COVID-19 DEATH RATE EQUIVALENT TO SEASONAL FLU - IOANNIDIS STUDYAccount Terminated
w6IeN6sgJ3gEp99 - ER Doctor from Sweden Explains it all - the Science, Logic & Philosophy!Video Unavailable
EAa8FLInSccThe Hidden Agenda Behind Covid 19 - Plandemic (Was Covid-19 a plan)Video Unavailable
q0PBg_3iVBwI will give you a blowjob and doughnut for a roll of toilet paperPrivate Video
n9yKtoYxd5QPress Conference - America's Frontline Doctors SummitCommunity Guidelines
ERsYzMJ7vZsPro-Lockdown Officials Absolutely DESTROYED by American Patriot _ MUST SEE!Video Unavailable
xSDFVkF_wVEATTN. Medical Community!!! Could COVID 19 Be Causing DIFFUSION Hypoxemia - Cameron Kyle-SidellAccount Terminated
Q_OmGcIq1CQTAKE BACK OUR FUTURE - A Message from the Alt RightAccount Terminated
qhIGrqTnOAEDay 3 Kenosha Wisconsin + Other Major Cities _ Justice for Jacob BlakeVideo Unavailable
kIXpxf9EKgMPolice Officer-involved shooting under investigation in KenoshaAccount Terminated
tx2v0Y9Ci7IPolitically Correct TechPrivate Video
De_eakiJGDUKey & Peele Sum Up How Leftists Think Police Should Do Their JobPrivate Video
txVnNM8n_OYAlex Jones arrives Crowd Goes NUTS at Stop The Steal Rally _ Phoenix AZ Pro Trump ProtestVideo Unavailable
bQKqbgviUKcMontana sniffing Idaho - Idaho says NO to Joe! #JustsaynotojoePrivate Video
LrfXAiWSnjQAlex Jones Crashes #StopTheSteal RallyAccount Terminated
Uh4FRNMQ1FEELECTION INTERFERENCE In Graham North Carolina - Polls Being Blocked. #BLM Intimidating VotersAccount Terminated
YGxDAHJKuhoWhere Are Biden's BoundariesUnlisted
AevZ_T7xoI4Are you voting for Joe BidenAccount Terminated
l1qHWRsalCIThe CNN reporter fled in disgrace.Video Unavailable
7PR5ryhnYtQJeremy Slams Audience For Laughing At Domestic Abuse Victim _ Jeremy KylePrivate Video
zncLIVBLEa0CHAZ - The Lost EpisodesVideo Unavailable
6UCEvWpWDHIWhite Protesters Being Asked to Give $10 to African Americans In CHAZ, Autonomous Zone SeattlePrivate Video
m_sT5rrq9dECHAZ CHOP leader arrested - crying OMG!!!Video Unavailable
duj8alSJ4s0CHAZ (Be Sure to Wear A Helmet on Your Head)Video Unavailable
LgqdjtbVKEwSheriff David Clarke calls out Black Lives Matter and the Fake NewsAccount Terminated
yu0dR4pjbfwBLM members kill a raccoonAccount Terminated
Td_m6EP0aAMShocking new series 'Cracka' glorifies the killing and raping of white peopleVideo Unavailable
d7JJL_HgEK0Black Police Officer Challenges Protestors To A FightAccount Terminated
cdQtqg0koEAAffaire Traoré - un propos bien peu galant à l'égard des juifs et des Français blancsVideo Unavailable
iZhdMcrBuDUFULL Lake Orion Confrontation, White Woman Falsely Accused Of RacismVideo Unavailable
JxyfKQxMrQsTwo Cops Shot In Compton _ BLM Chants 'We Hope They Die' _ Anti-Police Culture In ActionPrivate Video
zBQ275GV5vkBLM Protesters Chant 'We Hope They Die' Outside Hospital Where Two LA Deputies Are Being TreatedVideo Unavailable
oRUWZxRmEnkStrange PenguinVideo Unavailable
U1Qt6a-vaNMJFK to 911 Everything Is A Rich Man's TrickAccount Terminated
ccVxEH1l7H8#KnitGate, Facebook leaks, Jussie hoax defenders & moreUnlisted
-t8xoNogO1gLive - Protesters gather in Portland for new round of protests against federal officersCountry/Region Block
uuoqaHNYp0II WENT TO THE PORTLAND RIOT SITE!! - _GRAPHIC CONTENTVideo Unavailable
8bXgULtz6cI【三个硬盘】 Sept.24th Lude's broadcast - 3 hard drives, provided 3 hard drives to the DOJ of AmericaAccount Terminated
T-gh2qQxFL8Gilet jaune un riverain filme le chaos sur ParisVideo Unavailable
LGEfbwS2o5QConservatives Are FINALLY Starting To DO SOMETHING About It!Mark DiceVideo Unavailable
IKMmy8oXBmE'We See You' by Mark Attwood #SaveOurChildrenThe Mark Attwood Show Adventures in a Cosmic SuitAccount Terminated
Ul6DucrO7o4(Full Interview) KANYE WEST DRINK CHAMPS INTERVIEWIlya GlazunovVideo Unavailable
1p-qVpm_CHUWikiPedia EXPOSED - Why Asking For Donations? | Anti-Hindu Agenda | Part 1StringAccount Terminated
xBMuNEHrtXkJordan Peterson - If you stay with me you lose your SOUL!Numynd TVUnlisted
_m-gO0HSCYkDave Chappelle Stand-Up Monologue - SNLSaturday Night LivePrivate Video
GQhMatoCQaYKanye West admits his mom was sacrificedSuga Honey Ice TeaVideo Unavailable
ph5H0YFxbJIWhy NATO's Biggest Weakness is ScotlandRealLifeLorePrivate Video
qiVUUHjh74kRonald Reagan On AtheistBlackConservative24Video Unavailable
o7pno24XlEECOINTELPRO⧸MKULTRA: "The long documented but suppressed history of collusion between..." (1998)The Memory HoleAccount Terminated
ricClhuVZp0“I Demanded Pap Smear & Doc Said, NO!, He Checked My Prostate: SO MAD!” (Trans woMAN)Odins MenVideo Unavailable
OgzdDp5qfdIThis amazing girl mastered dubstep dancing by just using YouTubeFUSIONUploader Closed Account
0BIWvCKwo9wEthan Ralph attacks MiloVHS_ArchiveAccount Terminated
oCv0mxMq-dY23790609_Lost video of Viola Desmond or Rosa Parks being beaten for not sitting in the back of the busVideo Unavailable
f99PcP0aFNESeries of TubesAccount Terminated
WZJ1OVCXLCsGodless America is BUILDING A RELIGIONVideo Unavailable
_sNUYTStcRsWhy Black Lives Matter is a scam #BlackLivesMatterVideo Unavailable
jQUhkLFXq8YColor Maximite 2 - An ARM CPU that runs BASIC!Video Unavailable
RwjQsqYXKnw(PeAcEfuL pRoTeStErS ULTIMATE COMPILATION VOL 1) _ TCCPrivate Video
-BGyTi-KdKcAustin Police Shoot Teen in Head with Rubber Bullet at ProtestVideo Unavailable
2u2cYA48LbwBlack Lives Matter & Hypocrisy (by @harbirnain on Instagram)Account Terminated
LYB6oD5X2_0Fellow Travelers on Their KneesVideo Unavailable
TD3GjkikUywFormer Black Lives Matter Ferguson Organizer, Chaziel Sunz exposed BLM, Democrats, ANTIFA, etc.Account Terminated
WD0dJA_u90YFull Restaurant Surveillance Footage of George FloydAccount Terminated
kGqBcVm2xPoIRISH BOY STABBED IN CARRIGALINE, CORKViolent/Graphic Content
inFH76SuNOkKRON 4 News 200,000 dead from CRONOVIRUS in USA Contra Costa, CA. Mon, June 1, 2020Account Terminated
vSyhqO_CZngNational Guard and police clashing with protesters in Seattle, WashingtonAccount Terminated
NJmeRcML3VMPolice confiscate guns during the Minneapolis, Minnesota riotAccount Terminated
FFfvBnHLfpsWhite People Bow Down at Black Lives Matter Rally ProtestVideo Unavailable
rCybWf1g9K8BREAKING - Whistleblower Drops HARD Evidence, Biden, Obama, Hillary EXECUTED Seal Team 6, Audio ProofVideo Unavailable
f_VQ0CP2S5UBenghazi Whistleblower explains what is Coming!Video Unavailable
4rmu2-P18IsCars With Skeletons Burned in CA WildfireVideo Unavailable
EBIAKj29ct4Does Artificial Intelligence already existVideo Unavailable
03-DdY7okVQHappy Birthday in Bed - Family Party with Dildo - Super Embarrassing - A French ClipNudity/Sexually Explicit
zqnNu4hhUp4I was raped by Matt DamonPrivate Video
fgbGdEBRB8cMake it Gourmet with Mr Simon Taylor - Grilled CheesePrivate Video
s-IJbaPhu1cNEW ZEALAND YOU CANNOT SHOP UNLESS YOU ARE TRACED! COMING SOON (Mirrored)Private Video
3WNKK38FafENew! Ted Cruz Leaves the entire Democrats in Congress speechless with this fiery speech!Video Unavailable
MY8Nfzcn1qQOUT OF SHADOWS OFFICIALAccount Terminated
YOXpe6OO83oOld striper twerking in New York CityVideo Unavailable
fWnhd3mvgqQPEDOGATE 2020 (Mouthy Buddha)Video Unavailable
SvAUa1FcvDkPEDOGATE 2020 PT.II - Tom Hanx (NEW INFO)Account Terminated
lepqvdXoA2ESenator Johnson Expert Panel on Federal Vaccine Mandates and Vaccine InjuriesCommunity Guidelines
lL-mgyeoslAThe Ad AgencyVideo Unavailable
hflGmLVFFkkThe Fall of Louis CK _ #METOO DocumentaryAccount Terminated
5Q6pDGNQw3IThe Left's Push For Pedophile AcceptancePrivate Video
1Jf1ZM-ho4oThe State of Self-Driving Cars in 2018Video Unavailable
dt6nm7gHGdsWHS 2010 - Testimonial Luc Montagnier (Nobel Prize)Video Unavailable
npX801xLSFYWho really started this Indigenous People taunt Cov Cath boys aK1uWzTtkT8Private Video
l1JO70wmkxE_Unlisted
BiWt72CWoBktake your finger out of my vagina.wmvTerms of Service
27ey2SVp0SEgender fluid woman demonstrates how her gender changesExmarkstherotAccount Terminated
Glqnj_30YiYGetting into 9⧸11 With Jason Bermas - Low Value Mail May 30th, 2023 + aftershowDanny PolishchukUnlisted
z9quxZsLcfoTW Hangouts | Is TDD dead?ThoughtworksUnlisted
UKcvVgv_c54Shondo has standardsBrattyOniiUploader Closed Account
Cb3NjCVqaeIMaking Sense of the Israel⧸Palestine Conflict with Nick FuentesKeith WoodsVideo Unavailable
pWPijzzinKgThe Stones Cry Out - Voices of the Palestinian ChristiansBeit Sahour USACopyright Claim
2jVyokkcGgEWhy Egypt Is Flooding Gaza's Secret TunnelsNowThis OriginalsPrivate Video
lhNpP7ttYoMAnime Amv Never Gonna Give You Up | JAPANESE Vermanipulate senpaiVideo Unavailable
Sf-6ZEju_JQThe Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire) [Cover]Juliana ChahayedUnlisted
5NMKafCmGmQJews Are Living in the Sewer | S02E05 - "Tunnel Trouble!"VitoUnlisted
AFf0pmvFczIA New Groundbreaking Study Reveals There Are No Trans Kids!The Story BoxVideo Unavailable
htuP2OmNbNcJoin The Fight For Free SpeechThe Babylon BeeUnlisted
5Aq2xd6ccgE"Final Warning: America's Last Chance Before Collapse" | Victor Davis HansonVictor Davis HansonAccount Terminated
b9j2ymlKZ10[MMD R15] Shimakaze⧸島風 - Provocation DanceGenesisMMDAccount Terminated
j1IWQicyTxY[MMD R15] Shimakaze⧸島風 - シアダンスViolet SkyGenesisMMDAccount Terminated
c3SQ8EHVNC0[MMD R18] だんだん脱いでくミクさん[紳士向けMMD] [4K60fps]白猫紳士Account Terminated
7G2njMLcp64[MMD R15] Shimakaze⧸島風 - Echichi DanceGenesisMMDAccount Terminated
MdUoW0EObj8シスター 魅惑ヒップダンスkuriNudity/Sexually Explicit
GLNmH9ZYZNo{4k} Wet Vs Dry T-Shirt TestLilly Blooms 🌸Video Unavailable
74mLBul5j6QCold Water Shirt TestLilly Blooms 🌸Video Unavailable
MJBfPE3ZtiACute Natural | Transparent Dress Try On HaulLilly Blooms 🌸Video Unavailable
mtQCirzBKN0President Nixon on Bohemian Grove - "f*ggy" #history #uspolitics #presidentThis is the PresidentAccount Terminated
MWVFVfnD8TQFlaming Dice Beef|火焰骰子牛|フレーミングダイスビーフ|불타는 주사위 쇠고기|Daging Sapi Dadu Menyala苡昕女孩 Ms. YuriUploader Removed
ALiHBzvR-moIT JUST HAPPENED....JUST LIKE THE SCRIPT TOLD YOU IT WOULD!WAKE UP CALLAccount Terminated
F_eRVnrl5oMTRUMPAMANIA RUNS WILD ON THE SHEEPLE! IF YOU DON'T QUESTION EVERYTHING YOU SEE ON TV YOU ARE A FOOL!WAKE UP CALLAccount Terminated
EJMn-AbOv1USECRET SERVICE SCRIPTED! NEW TRUMP BODYCAM FOOTAGE CONFIRMS HOW FAKE THE ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT WAS!WAKE UP CALLAccount Terminated

YouTube is not just Video

In the years before YouTube, videos were shared between people without regard to how they were presented or their content. One of YouTube’s original slogans was “Broadcast yourself2.” People often utilized YouTube’s features for text, link and video overlays. Those classic features have been removed, and older videos often reference onscreen links that no longer exist. However, people don’t often even see old videos, as the website favors suggesting recently published content. For a time, YouTube even removed the ability to sort by oldest videos first3. Older YouTube videos were limited to 10 or 15 minute clips, so people cut up their longer videos and used playlists for longer documentaries.

Standards and Advertising

Television networks have Standards and Practices for their shows, ensuring everything they broadcast meets certain editorial requirements4567. As Google sought to monetize YouTube, they implemented similar standards to encourage content favorable to advertisers. Blender, an open source 3D modeling tool, had a series of video tutorials on a channel they refused to monetize. This likely contributed to a suspension for their tutorial channel, leading the Blender team to start mirroring their videos to a PeerTube server they hosted themselves8.

Today we are all told to “like and subscribe,” “see the link in the description” and other instructions that help “feed the algorithm.” The old mantra of “Broadcast yourself,” died a long time ago, as did Google’s unofficial motto of “don’t be evil9.” In its early days, YouTube seems liked a much larger version of public access television. However, as it has grown, the need for advertising revenue to keep the massive video site afloat has brought about Community Guidelines. A new ridiculous vocabulary has been created by people attempting to side-step monetization rules. We now have terms like “he unalived himself” for suicide, “corn” when discussing pornography, and “pew pew” when talking about firearms.

This gradual creep has changed YouTube from a fun platform for sharing videos, into something that feels similar to the large broadcast networks that came before it. This has allowed YouTube to soak up the benefits of hundreds of thousands of young creators piloting content, while also removing the content of anyone who becomes remotely popular, who don’t align with Google’s political viewpoints.

YouTube’s API Wars

Both Reddit and X/Twitter have engaged in predatory API pricing to effectively kill all 3rd party apps and clients for their services. Nitter is a privacy frontend and proxy to Twitter that didn’t use the official API. Yet, due to changes in how the Twitter guest API worked, nearly all Nitter instances no longer work10.

YouTube has never had an official public API, but that hasn’t stopped Google from going after 3rd party developers. YouTube had the source code for youtube-dl taken down via a DMCA request to GitHub, although it was later reinstated11. yt-dlp has become the successor fork of the project after youtube-dl was litigated against by the German government12. YouTube has also gone after Invidious, a self-hosted open source frontend proxy to YouTube13. Although there are dozens of Invidious instances run by independent volunteers around the world, YouTube has been more aggressive at rating limiting these servers and making them unusable.

Rate Limit Error for Invidious Instance
Rate Limit Error for Invidious Instance

Archive The Videos They Want to Burn

I cannot emphasize the importance of archiving content you feel is worthwhile to save. People should always have multiple local backups of the data they trust to the cloud. It’s easy for data you trust to another company’s computers to just disappear. With storage as cheap as it is today, there’s no excuse not to make regular backups of social media accounts as well. YouTube is not an archive of material. Some videos may be preserved for decades, but others can vanish in an instant. With YouTube being the largest video website on the planet, this type of censorship has far-reaching consequences when it comes to guiding stories, belief systems and narratives presented to people around the entire world.

  1. Format for ID of YouTube video. Slayden. Webapps StackExchange. 

  2. Archive of YouTube Landing Page. Archived 13 January 2006. 

  3. How To Bring Back Sort By Oldest On Youtube. 11 November 2022. Akiradr13. 

  4. Dave Chappelle: Sticks & Stones. 2019. Netflix. 

  5. Dave Chappelle - Standards & Practices. 7 September 2019. RandomSense. (Clip from Sticks & Stones) 

  6. Gee Whiz. Aqua Teen Hunger Force. 22 August 2004. (Season 3, Episode 4) 

  7. Aqua Teen Hunger Force (ATHF) - Standards and Practices. 6 July 2020. 19andoverlol. (Clip from Aqua Teeen Hunger Force S3E4). 

  8. YouTube Blocks Blender Videos Worldwide. 18 June 2018. Blender. 

  9. Google Removes ‘Don’t Be Evil’ Clause From Its Code of Conduct. 18 May 2018. Conger. Gizmodo. 

  10. Compiled + ran Nitter in Docker with no errors, yet it always shows “no items found” #1200. 2 May 2024. xbansh33. Github. 

  11. Standing up for developers: youtube-dl is back. 17 November 2020. (Updated 24 August, 2021) Vollmer. Github. 

  12. LG Hamburg, Urteil vom 31.03.2023 - 310 O 316/21. 31 March 2023. OpenJur. 

  13. YouTube Orders ‘Invidious’ Privacy Software to Shut Down in 7 Days. 9 June 2023. Maxwell. TorrentFreak.