Twitch announced Sweeping updates to the sexual content policy and content rating system, which now allows previously banned content such as graphic nipples and “erotic dances,” as well as clarifying what nudity is and is not allowed on the platform.
The update follows widespread “topless” backlash, following streamer and OnlyFans model Morgpie It went viral For appearing naked in recent streams. Morgby’s streams are framed “topless” to show off her bare shoulders, upper chest and cleavage. The frame included implied nudity, but did not actually show content that explicitly violated Twitch’s sexual content policies. Other streamers, who were mostly male, were outraged by Morgpie’s content and called on Twitch to crack down on explicit nudity. She was banned on December 11, two days before Twitch’s content guidelines were overhauled. Jessica Lee, a streamer who also goes by asianbunnyx, has created similar content without being banned.
The new policy is carefully detailed and addresses various positions, but it also appears to be self-contradictory. For example, cartoon breasts are only permitted in certain contexts.
“Fancy graphics” — drawings, animations, or sculpted displays — of fully exposed breasts and any butt or genitals regardless of gender are fine, but “augmented reality avatars that translate real-life action into digital characters” (read: VTubers) are a must. Commit to them the same Clothing requirements Like regular banners. The actual human nipples on which females appear must be covered. The split remains “unrestrained.” Showing “under the chest” is still prohibited.
Twitch’s position on Sideboob remains unclear.
A Twitch spokesperson told TechCrunch that the platform has overhauled its content moderation over the past year, and has focused on updating its community guidelines in response to streamers’ feedback. By clarifying what is and isn’t allowed, Twitch believes it will be easier for streamers to comply with its policies. The spokesperson also noted that the platform is still experimenting with nuance and context, and rather than rely on punitive content moderation, Twitch wants users to be informed.
The update is supposed to simplify the platform’s approach to sexual content and update its previous policies, which disproportionately punished females. Twitch previously imposed separate policies for “sexually suggestive” and “sexually explicit” content, adding to the confusion. They will now be combined into one file “Sexual content policy.” The company’s content classification guidelines (CCLs), which were introduced in June, now detail when streamers must label their content as “sexually-themed”.
“We believe that accurate classification of content is key to helping viewers get the experience they expect, and now that we can enable proper classification of sexual content using CCLS, we believe that some of the restrictions in our previous policies are no longer required,” Twitch said. in it Blog post about the update. “In addition to providing clarity, these updates will also reduce the risk of inconsistent enforcement and bring our policy more in line with other social media services.”
Under the new policy, streams tagged with “drugs, intoxication, or excessive tobacco use,” “violent and graphic images,” “gambling,” and “sexual themes” will no longer be promoted in Twitch’s homepage recommendations, but will allow more obscene content. Which was not previously allowed on the platform. This approach, Twitch said in Blog post, will prevent viewers from seeing content they did not agree to see. However, viewers will still be able to go directly to channels broadcasting this content. Streams flagged for adult gaming and profanity can still be included in home page recommendations.
Twitch did not immediately respond to TechCrunch’s request for comment on whether labeling its streams as containing such content would impact streamers’ ad revenue.
If categorized correctly, content that was previously banned on the platform, such as artistic images of breasts, butts and genitals, will now be allowed on the platform. The strict restrictions on suggestive illustrations have become a point of contention for the Twitch art community, which Twitch acknowledged in its blog post. It’s also okay to stream “erotic dances,” such as stripteases, grinding, and pole dancing, as long as they’re rated. Broadcasting from a strip club or any “adult entertainment establishment” remains prohibited.
The updates appear to respond to long-standing community complaints about the disproportionate moderation females face on Twitch. The company tried to crack down on lewd and sexually explicit streams by introducing a law dress code in 2018, Which stipulated that sign clothing should be “appropriate for a public street, mall, or restaurant.” Platform It updated its dress policy in 2020 With specific guidelines explaining that signs can show cleavage, but not nipples or the lower part of the breast.
Despite its great popularity Hot tub streams Allowed under the guidelines, as long as streamers wore swimsuits, the clothing policy still targeted women for wearing anything that could be construed as suggestive. Countless female streamers have been suspended and outright banned due to viewers en masse reporting them for inappropriate clothing, with many complaining that the platform’s policy has been used as a form of targeted harassment and misogyny.
Twitch previously banned streams that “intentionally highlight the breasts, buttocks, or pelvic area,” even if streamers are fully clothed. Parameters for this content were ambiguous and inconsistently applied. It’s allowed now – as long as
“Streamers have found it difficult to determine what is prohibited and what is permitted, and assessing whether or not a stream violates this part of the policy has often been subjective,” Twitch said in its announcement. “Additionally, our previous sexually suggestive content policy was inconsistent with industry standards and resulted in female streamers being disproportionately penalized.”
In its sexual content policy, Twitch notes that the attire allowed on the platform depends on the context of individual streams. Twitch said on its website that it’s dress code for the beach or gym Community Guidelines, may not be acceptable for broadcast cooking or gaming. The company also said that clothing “intended to be sexually suggestive” remains prohibited, which appears to still have the potential to disproportionately affect females who viewers can sexualize regardless of what they wear.
Morgpie, who remains banned, praised Twitch’s update in a statement dexerto.
“With the updated terms of service, content on Twitch that contains adult themes will be allowed but will no longer be pushed on the site’s homepage,” she said. “I think this is the best possible outcome, because it gives content creators more freedom, while preventing that content from reaching the wrong audience. Bravo, Twitch!