YouTube Copyright or Digital Extortion? Creators Accuse ANI of Strike Abuse and Ransom Demands

YouTube Copyright or Digital Extortion? Creators Accuse ANI of Strike Abuse and Ransom Demands

By The420.in
Updated: May 25, 2025 | 6:42 PM IST
Reading Time: 4 Minutes

In a sensational exposé shaking the Indian creator community, popular YouTuber Mohak has accused Asian News International (ANI) of misusing YouTube's copyright strike system to allegedly run an "extortion racket." The claims have triggered an uproar on social media and revived the long-standing debate over fair use, platform regulation, and creator protection.

The Allegations: Copyright or Coercion?

According to Mohak, ANI issued multiple copyright strikes against his channel for using 11 seconds of news footage in a 16-minute commentary video—a use he insists falls under fair use.

Shortly after the strikes, Mohak alleges that an ANI representative demanded ?45 lakh to resolve the issue. He claims the representative warned of six additional strikes, threatening a complete deletion of his YouTube channel.

"You’ve only received two strikes now. Wait, you’ll get six more... Once your channel is deleted, you’ll beg to negotiate," Mohak recounted from the alleged phone conversation.

Creators Rally: Community Speaks Out

The accusations ignited widespread support from prominent Indian YouTubers:

Nitish Rajput: “YouTube should ensure creators don’t end up feeling helpless after years of hard work.”
Dhruv Rathee: “Full support to you. It seems like ANI is running an extortion racket. All creators need to unite.”

Several creators Mohak contacted allegedly admitted to paying ?18 to ?50 lakh to ANI for license “settlements” and strike removals.

Fair Use vs Strike Abuse: What’s the Legal Issue?

The controversy centers on the fair use doctrine, which allows limited usage of copyrighted material for:

Commentary
Critique
Education
News reporting

Rather than using YouTube’s revenue-sharing or content claim tools, Mohak claims ANI deliberately issued copyright strikes—a far more damaging option. Strikes not only demonetize content but also jeopardize entire channels after three violations.

One shared email from ANI reportedly demanded:

?45 lakh + GST
For a 1-year license
With a clear warning: “Failure to pay will result in channel deletion”

A Call for Government Action

Mohak says he has appealed to the Prime Minister’s Office and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to investigate ANI’s alleged practices.

“This isn’t just about me. It’s about whether creators in India will be hostage to extortion or protected by law,” he said.

He urged fellow creators to submit proof of similar experiences, calling for a united front.

Summary: What This Means for Indian Creators

Issue	Impact
Misuse of copyright strikes	Risk of permanent channel deletion
Demands for massive payouts	Financial and mental stress for creators
Lack of YouTube intervention	Platform policy enforcement in question
No clear government safeguards	Legal gray zone for digital content creators

This controversy highlights a critical loophole in digital copyright enforcement, where policy ambiguity and power imbalance can endanger creators' livelihoods.

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Final Thoughts

As the #SupportMohak movement gains traction, pressure is building on ANI, YouTube, and Indian authorities to clarify copyright laws and protect creators from potential exploitation. Whether this leads to reform or deeper legal action, one thing is clear: