YouTube sensation PewDiePie is no stranger to controversy and has been on the platform for the longest time ever. However, it seems that come 2020, the YouTuber has announced that he will be taking a break. Exactly for how long remains to be seen, but either way, it seems that we might see less of him in the new year.
According to PewDiePie, it seems that this has something to do with YouTube’s new harassment and anti-bullying policy that was introduced. In a video posted on his channel, he was quoted as saying, “I am taking a break from YouTube next yea. I wanted to say it in advance because I made up my mind. I’m tired. I’m feeling very tired. I don’t know if you can tell. Just so you know, early next year I’ll be away for a little while. I’ll explain that later but I wanted to give a heads-up.”
The YouTuber seems to suggest that it’s not so much the policy that’s the issue, but how YouTube goes about enforcing it. This is not the first time that YouTube’s policies have raised eyebrows due to their vague wordings. For example, last month YouTube introduced a new terms of service that hinted that channels that are “no longer commercially viable” could be deleted.
This led to speculation that YouTube might delete channels that aren’t profitable, although YouTube later clarified this.