[1]https://news.bitcoin.com/was-youtubes-christmas-crypto-purge-illegal
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   [partial quote follows]

Was Youtubeâs Christmas Crypto Purge Illegal?

   This article considers the legal implications of Youtubeâs notorious
   purge of crypto channels on Christmas Eve. What legal context induces
   Youtube and other social media giants to operate as they do? The
   article does not explore whether it is morally proper to terminate a
   contract without cause or explanation and to threaten peopleâs
   livelihoods; it is not. Nor are political implications, such as
   Youtubeâs liberal bias, discussed. The legal factors context
   surrounding Googleâs Youtube purge are important. Users should know
   what is happening and why.

What Happened?

   On Christmas Eve, Bitcoin.com contributor [2]Graham Smith warned, âAt
   least six crypto Youtube channels have reported in recent hours that
   their content is being removed under the siteâs âharmful and dangerousâ
   policy, with one popular channel claiming Youtube pointed to a âsale of
   regulated goodsâ.â [3]The purged channels received no warning, no
   plausible explanation. Presumably, the âharmful and dangerousâ policy
   so vaguely referenced by Youtube was an alleged [4]violation of Section
   17(b) of the Securities Act of 1933.

   It shall be unlawful for any person ⦠to publish, give publicity to,
   or circulate any notice, circular, advertisement, newspaper, article,
   letter, investment service, or communication which, though not
   purporting to offer a security for sale, describes such security for a
   consideration received or to be received, directly or indirectly, from
   an issuer, underwriter, or dealer, without fully disclosing the
   receipt, whether past or prospective, of such consideration and the
   amount thereof [italics added].

   The original purpose of Section 17(b) was to make it illegal for anyone
   to promote a stock without disclosing any consideration they may have
   received from an issuer, underwriter, or dealer in the stock.

   The Christmas Purge is not the first time Google has removed crypto
   material. In June 2018, Google followed Facebookâs lead in banning
   crypto-related advertising. [5]CNBC reported, âEven companies with
   legitimate cryptocurrency offerings wonât be allowed to serve ads
   through any of Googleâs ad products, which place advertising on its own
   sites as well as third-party websites.â The legality of crypto and the
   reputation of the advertiser were irrelevant. Three months later,
   Googleâs outright ban ended, but a new policy was instated. [6]Forbes
   explained, âregulated cryptocurrency exchangesâ could âbuy ads in the
   U.S. and Japan ⦠Ads for initial coin offerings (ICOs), wallets, and
   trading advice will remain banned ⦠with the updated policy applying
   to advertisers all over the world, though the ads will only run in the
   U.S. and Japan.â The stated reason for the ban and restriction was a
   desire to shut down illegal activities connected to crypto for which
   Google could have been liable.
   [end of partial quote]

References

   1. https://news.bitcoin.com/was-youtubes-christmas-crypto-purge-illegal/
   2. https://news.bitcoin.com/speculation-abounds-regarding-youtubes-removal-of-crypto-content/
   3. https://twitter.com/crypt0snews/status/1209949215549345792
   4. https://crowdfundingattorney.com/2018/05/02/section-17b-of-the-securities-act-in-crowdfunding-and-token-sales/
   5. https://www.cnbc.com/2018/03/13/google-bans-crypto-ads.html
   6. https://www.forbes.com/sites/billybambrough/2018/09/25/google-is-scraping-its-bitcoin-ban-heres-what-that-will-mean/#7e7041695654