How did it happen:

The exact cause of the misfire is unknown, but it is believed to be related to a problem with YouTube's automation systems. YouTube's algorithms are designed to analyze user behavior and determine which content is most relevant and engaging. However, these algorithms can be complex and prone to errors, particularly when dealing with large amounts of user data.

In this case, it appears that YouTube's algorithms misidentified certain channels as spam or deceptive, resulting in their removal. The misfire was not limited to a single channel or type of content, but rather affected hundreds of channels across various categories.