@dedicatedguy as @igster mentionned they are in a position where they can, and Google's main income isn't YouTube especially if they want to dominate the data war, they would try to control the narrative and influence.

This mass demonitization has been going on for a while and even addressed by some of the biggest Youtubers like Piewdepie, Dave Franco, Casey Neistat..etc.

But as you said, this could be a good opportunity for competing sites. :)