YouTube terminates Delhi slum-dweller's channel after sudden surge; supporters seek reversal

Social media users are urging YouTube India to restore the account of Mohammad Irfan, a resident of a Delhi slum, whose channel was terminated hours after it gained tens of thousands of subscribers. The video-hosting platform has not issued any official clarification, but attempts to access Mr. Irfan's page, titled 'Main Irfan', currently show a message stating that the account has been terminated for violating Google's Terms of Service.

Mr. Irfan took to X, formerly Twitter, on Sunday to express his shock, calling the termination 'some kind of mistake' and requesting the platform to review its decision. 'My channel was completely new, and I have honestly followed all of YouTube's guidelines,' he wrote. 'People really liked my content, which is why my subscribers increased. It seems like there was a mistake by your automatic system. Please review my channel again and restore it.'

Veteran journalist Ajit Anjum emerged as a vocal supporter of Mr. Irfan, posting several times on X both before and after the channel was taken down. According to Mr. Anjum, the channel was launched on Saturday with his support and gained more than 70,000 subscribers within hours. 'Suddenly this morning, his YouTube channel was terminated,' he wrote. 'How did a working-class young man manage to gain so many subscribers in such a short time? That in itself is an extraordinary achievement. So why did YouTube terminate his channel so abruptly?'

Several other social media users also expressed support, describing the channel as genuine and suggesting that its termination may have been triggered by YouTube's automated systems, which sometimes flag accounts experiencing rapid growth. They have urged the platform to manually review the case and reinstate the account, emphasising that Mr. Irfan, who lives in a slum, had just started his online journey and was not engaged in any prohibited activity.

As of now, YouTube has not made any public statement regarding the specific account. The company's policies prohibit certain types of content, including spam, deceptive practices, and scams, but the sudden popularity of a new creator is not typically a violation. The reliance on automated systems for content moderation has previously led to errors, with YouTube often restoring channels after manual review.

Mr. Irfan's case has drawn attention to the challenges faced by first-time creators from marginalised communities, who often rely on social media to share their stories and build livelihoods. The incident also highlights the opaque nature of platform enforcement actions, leaving users with little clarity about the exact reasons for termination or the process for appeal.

Supporters continue to press for a resolution, with tags and posts circulating across social media platforms. While the outcome remains uncertain, the episode has sparked a broader conversation about accountability and fairness in digital spaces. Until YouTube formally addresses the issue, Mr. Irfan's channel remains inaccessible, and his followers are waiting for a response that could restore both his page and his trust in the platform.