Twitch is continuing its ongoing safety changes with a modest but possibly effective move: putting its regulations in plain terms. The firm has changed its Community Guidelines in order to create a better framework with simpler terminology, more context, and practical examples, which it feels will be more effective. This includes new top-level categories (such as “Civility & Respect” and “Sensitive Content”) as well as more logical category groupings, such as a “Youth Safety” section covering anything relevant to users under the age of 18. Some offenses, such as “Sexual Harassment” and “Prohibited Games,” now have separate categories.
The live-streaming service maintains that the rules have not changed. This is an attempt to make the rules more useful. In principle, there will be fewer unintended infractions and more individuals reporting wrongdoing. Twitch cited previous modifications as an illustration of what may occur. When it adopted clearer hate and harassment guidelines at the beginning of 2021, it witnessed a 920 percent year-over-year increase in enforcement as well as a 511 percent increase in genuine user reports.
The revision acknowledges that Twitch’s lack of transparency has occasionally resulted in very significant concerns for authors. Last year, the site launched a “Hot Tubs” category in part because its prior strategy (clumping these streams under the “Just Chatting” area) created uncertainty for both users and advertisers worried that broadcasters were breaking the rules. Twitch also updated the language in its sexual content guideline, and in June, it simplified its approach to self-harm mentions.
Twitch said it will continue to improve its regulations, including a “more complete” review of its sexual content. Users who are worried about the efficacy of the recommendations will not be satisfied by the explanation. However, it may result in fewer allegations of arbitrary bans and demonetization, making it simpler for Twitch to increase restrictions over time.
