San Diego, California – YouTube has taken action against popular streamer Guy Beahm, known as Dr Disrespect, by suspending monetization on his channel amidst reports surrounding his 2020 ban from Twitch and alleged sexually explicit messages to a minor. This move follows serious allegations against Beahm that have prompted YouTube to suspend his channel from the YouTube Partner Program, effectively preventing him from monetizing on the platform. The decision was made in accordance with YouTube’s Creator Responsibility policy, which aims to protect the community from creators whose off-platform behavior may harm users, employees, or the ecosystem.
The suspension of Beahm’s channel on YouTube came after observations by users on social media, who noticed the absence of monetization features on his channel. Further information regarding the circumstances of Beahm’s ban from Twitch in 2020 has been surfacing, including reports from former Twitch employees corroborating claims of inappropriate conduct.
Recent reports from Rolling Stone revealed that Beahm was aware of the underage status of the minor he was messaging and continued to send sexually explicit messages. Additionally, former Google executive Ryan Wyatt disclosed that YouTube Gaming did not offer a contract to Beahm due to the controversies surrounding his ban from Twitch.
In response to the allegations, Beahm issued a statement acknowledging his inappropriate messages to a minor in 2017 but emphasized that no illegal activities occurred. He also highlighted his legal actions against Twitch for the ban, which was settled in 2022. Despite requests for comment, Twitch has remained silent on the matter, while YouTube’s statement marks its first public response.
Although de-monetization actions against prominent channels like Beahm’s are uncommon, YouTube has previously enforced its policy on other popular creators like Russell Brand, David Dobrik, and James Charles. The ongoing fallout from the allegations against Beahm has led to severed partnerships and sponsorships, including actions taken by Turtle Beach, 2K, and the San Francisco 49ers.
The suspension of Beahm’s channel is part of the broader repercussions stemming from his ban from Twitch, with repercussions extending to his partnerships and co-founded game studio, Midnight Society. The situation continues to evolve as more details emerge, impacting Beahm’s standing in the streaming community.