YouTube condemns Logan Paul’s video, ‘looking at further consequences’

YouTube has finally responded to the conversation around Logan Paul’s disturbing, rule-breaking video that featured the body of a man who committed suicide in Japan.

YouTube published the open letter on Twitter through a series of five tweets. The full statement reads:

Many of you have been frustrated with our lack of communication recently. You’re right to be. You deserve to know what’s going on.

Like many others, we were upset by the video that was shared last week. Suicide is not a joke, nor should it ever be a driving force for views.

As Anna Akana put it perfectly: “That body was a person someone loved. You do not walk into a suicide forest with a camera and claim mental health awareness.”

We expect more of the creators who build their community on @YouTube, as we’re sure you do too. The channel violated our community guidelines, we acted accordingly, and we are looking at further consequences.

It’s taken us a long time to respond, but we’ve been listening to everything you’ve been saying. We know that the actions of one creator can affect the entire community, so we’ll have more to share soon on steps we’re taking to ensure a video like this is never circulated again.

YouTube’s statement follows Paul’s own apologies, which he posted on Twitter and YouTube last week. Since there, there has been backlash from the community, alongside mainstream celebrities and press who have lambasted Paul for his unsettling video.

Paul, one of YouTube’s most popular creators with more than 15 million subscribers, whose content is geared toward a young audience, hasn’t posted on Twitter or YouTube since he announced he was taking time away to reflect on Jan. 4.

A YouTube representative confirmed to Polygon that Paul’s video did break the community guidelines and, in accordance with company policy, a strike should be placed against the channel. It’s unclear if that strike was actually given to Paul, but Polygon has followed up requesting more information.