After a show of support from Jörg Sprave’s audience, YouTube removed a community strike on his channel.
On 1 April, Daily Mail Online published an article which targeted Jörg Sprave, creator of the Slingshot Channel. The article claimed that his video How To Pierce A Stab Proof Vest (since removed) was aiding terrorists in learning how to do this. It also referenced prior videos which showed police gear being pierced with custom weapons, and went on to comment on how adverts have appeared on the video from companies such as Netflix, OwlDetect, and eMoov.
After being contacted by The Mail on Sunday, YouTube took down Jörg’s video, and his channel was given a community strike. Soon after, Jörg uploaded a video to explain the situation to his audience and defend the content of the original video, saying that it was a review of a vest that is not police-issue, and that he did not intend the video to be a tutorial for terrorists.
He added his hope that, by uploading a video showing “how easy it is to pierce a supposedly high-grade vest”, he might encourage a change of design. Speaking to The Mail on Sunday, Jörg said: “I just want to show that people who wear these vests should not feel invincible. They are still vulnerable. These vests should not be described as stab-proof.”
In the video, Jörg appealed directly to his viewers for support, concerned that if he received more strikes his channel would be removed entirely. ”I don’t often ask for help,” he said. “I don’t believe in begging [for likes], but this time, just to show YouTube that you guys support me, maybe, you know, you could just click on that like button and give me support.”
A petition asking for YouTube to remove the strike against Jörg was started, which received 20,000 signatures in one day. Two days after the original video was removed, the petition reached 26,000 signatures and YouTube removed the strike. Jörg met with representatives from YouTube and was given the green light to reupload the original content, under the condition that he edit it to make it more clear that it is a review of the product, not a tutorial.
In the reuploaded version, Jörg admitted “the title, the thumbnail, and at least parts of the text description […] were probably a bit on the aggressive side [and] were probably the reason why YouTube decided to delete the video”. He is also planning to host an AMA (Ask Me Anything) on Reddit on 22 April to discuss the issue.
Jörg has also since reuploaded a video titled Shooting Right Through Police Riot Gear, which he took down after YouTube removed the first video, as a precaution against receiving an additional strike.
Want more?
YouTube Space London is hosting an Alien-themed event on 26 April for creators with over 1,000 subscribers. Alternatively, read about Hannah Witton’s recent sold-out London live show.
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