Twitch, the Amazon-owned live-streaming platform, recently revised its sexual content guidelines following a controversial incident involving streamer Morgpie. These changes have stirred discussions and reactions within the streaming community, reflecting a shift in Twitch’s approach to managing sensitive content.
We’re making some additional updates to our Sexual Content Policy. We realize that our earlier update caused confusion and appreciate all the feedback we’ve received. Thanks for always coming together with us to help build the best version of Twitch.
— Twitch (@Twitch) December 15, 2023
Check out the changes here:… https://t.co/Qj9IJLntff
Controversy Leading to Revision
The controversy erupted when streamer Morgpie was banned after a seemingly topless broadcast, sparking widespread debate and criticism. In response to feedback and community concerns about disproportionate penalties for female streamers, Twitch announced revisions to its sexual content guidelines on December 13.
Revised Guidelines
The updated guidelines permit labelled content that highlights specific body areas, even when fully clothed. Twitch aims to address past biases by allowing previously prohibited content, such as certain dances and highlighted body parts, with proper labelling. Notably, streams with sensitive themes will not be featured on Twitch’s homepage.
We’ve gotten feedback that our policies around sexual content are unclear so we’ve drawn clearer boundaries between what is & isn’t permitted on Twitch.
— Twitch (@Twitch) December 13, 2023
We also recognize that not everyone wants to see certain content, so we’re updating our criteria for homepage recommendations. pic.twitter.com/rvZ4kFADR6
Impact
Community Response
The changes have mixed responses within the streaming community, with some welcoming the inclusivity while others express concerns about the subjective nature of content evaluation.
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Streamers’ Experience
The revision seeks to provide streamers, especially females, with a fairer environment. However, uncertainty remains regarding the practical application and potential impact on ad revenue due to labelled content.
Visibility
The decision not to showcase sensitive-themed streams on Twitch’s homepage aims to manage content visibility, potentially altering the browsing experience for viewers.
Twitch’s adjustment of sexual content guidelines represents an attempt to strike a balance between inclusivity and maintaining community standards. While it aims to address past disparities in penalties for streamers, the subjective nature of content evaluation and its impact on both streamers and viewers remain areas of discussion and potential concern within the streaming community.
