Twitch’s weird crusade against VTubers continues, this time banning a VTuber who went out of her way to follow the rules (though maybe skirting them a little).
Earlier this month, Twitch released guidelines in an effort to make their enforcement more transparent. However they were quickly called out by the VTuber community for what appeared to be unequal enforcement, pointing to streams where live-action women get away with the sort of content that VTubers have been banned for, repeatedly.
This time, independent VTuber MegalodonVT was banned for “inappropriate attire” in a stream where she went out of her way to follow Twitch’s guidelines. She was wearing a swimsuit, she was in the Pools & Hot Tubs category, and she even had a beach-themed background.
Ok twitch whats going on?
I MADE sure to be TOS friendly. Look at what this category shows. How is that fair?@twitch @TwitchSupport could you please look over my account? If i could get a reason as to why i was banned then I will make sure to make the corrections to my attire. pic.twitter.com/nr9eTQ99We— MegalodonVT | Shark Vtuber ✨💜 (@MegalodonVT) October 28, 2024
The guidelines are as follows regarding skin coverage:
Swimwear, short shorts, and bodysuits are permitted as long as they completely cover the genitals, and those who present as women must also cover their nipples and areolas. Full coverage of buttocks is not required, but camera focus around them is still subject to our Sexual Content policy. Coverage must be fully opaque, even when wet. Sheer or partially see-through swimwear or other clothing does not constitute coverage.
The new guidelines were intended to make things easier for streamers, however VTubers are still receiving bans for content that regular streamers get away with. Twitch has even been called out for female streamers who cynically keep an inflatable pool in their background in order to skirt the rules.
