Google disclosed Tuesday that the Biden administration exerted pressure to suppress content related to COVID-19 and election integrity on YouTube, while announcing plans to restore accounts suspended under its censorship policies. The tech giant’s revised approach, detailed in a document obtained by a congressional committee, allows creators banned for political speech on these topics to seek reinstatement.

The policy shift affects individuals such as FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino, White House counterterrorism chief Sebastian Gorka, and “War Room” podcast host Steve Bannon, who were permanently removed for content deemed in violation of YouTube’s guidelines. A Google lawyer stated the company prioritizes free expression, noting that channels terminated for repeated violations of outdated policies will have an opportunity to return.

Bongino, who lost his YouTube account in 2022 over alleged COVID-19 misinformation, attributed his subsequent move to Rumble to the platform’s restrictions. The document also acknowledged the significance of conservative voices on YouTube, emphasizing their role in public discourse.

Google confirmed it would not rely on third-party “fact-checkers” and criticized European censorship laws for targeting American companies. A congressional investigation into the firm’s practices led to the admissions, which included explicit condemnation of the Biden administration’s pressure to suppress speech.