YouTube has agreed to pay $24.5 million to settle a lawsuit linked to its suspension of former U.S. President Donald Trump’s account. The case centered on the platform’s decision to block Trump in the aftermath of the January 2021 Capitol attack, a move that sparked intense debate over the limits of online speech and the responsibilities of social media companies.
The settlement resolves years of legal wrangling without YouTube admitting wrongdoing. Details of how the funds will be allocated have not been disclosed, though the agreement closes one of several disputes involving major tech platforms and political figures.
The company has since updated some of its moderation and account reinstatement policies, while Trump’s online presence has returned to other platforms. Legal analysts say the case highlights the ongoing tension between tech companies, free expression, and political accountability in the digital era.
