A former Twitch Admin has stated that an alleged “No-Ban list” was for mods to “make sure to double check” in special circumstances.
A hacker recently stole data from Twitch, including its source code and user data, and leaked it on 4chan. The alleged goal was to “foster more disruption and competition in the online video streaming space” because “their community is a disgusting toxic cesspool.” The data included creator payout reports from 2019, an unreleased Steam competitor from Amazon Game Studios (codenamed Vapor), and more.
At the time the hacker reportedly stated this is only the first part of the content they plan to leak. Whether by the hacker themselves, or another gaining access thanks to the source code; Twitch users were bemused to see Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos’ face in the header for various game categories.
A recent claim of the leaked materials included a supposed “No-Ban list;” Twitch accounts marked to not be banned [1, 2, 3]. Based on screenshots of the alleged list, some entries include Twitch staff (“do not ban for literally any reason“), or to not suspend certain users and seemingly address the matter to an account manager.
Some reasons are strange however, such as being underage or having an inappropriate username; seemingly being more likely reasons to be banned rather than spared. Even “Non-gaming” is listed, despite Twitch having a Just Chatting category. This may suggest different rules; depending on the acts or opinions of real people versus fictional characters.
Former French Twitch Admin @Saysera69 shed some light on the situation, and added validity to the list. He claimed the list dates back to 2016, and denies it is a No-Ban list; “or just not correct ‘anymore’,” Saysera explains. “The partnership managers don’t grab reports since 2017 and since mid 2019 the moderation team don’t even need to escalate it to AMs [Account Managers].”
Rather than a no-ban list, it Saysera states the list was so moderators would “make sure to double check” due to special circumstances. For example, a streamer may employ an interactive bot to post messages in the chat. Should that bot take what viewers submit, it could be used to state ToS-violating slurs and the like. Others include mass false-reports, such as those against Tyler1.
While Saysera denies the claims of moderators giving preferential treatment to some streamers, some Twitter users doubted the word of an ex-Twitch staff member [1, 2].
The reason for this doubt may stem from the belief that Twitch do not enforce their rules on sexual content against popular female streamers; dubbed “Twitch thots” by some; female streamers dressed provocatively or performing sexual or highly suggestive acts.
Being borderline “cam-girl” content, many have criticized both the performers, and Twitch moderators for being inconsistent with their moderating. The allegations would be banning users for less sexual content in a video game, while the top female streamers are gyrating or “body painting”.
Fans of these streamers have even been condemned as “simps;” a desperate and isolated single man, acting submissive and “supporting” a woman he is a total stranger to with gifts and money in hopes of a relationship or sex. The Twitch thots have also been accused of encouraging their delusion, and in turn gaining more donations and subscribers.
Twitch would update their policies related to “Nudity and Attire” and “Sexually Suggestive Content” in early April 2020; and in December 2020 banned derogatory language based on an individual’s “perceived sexual practices,” sexually-focused terms, and emotes based upon them. Twitch COO Sarah Clemens specifically mentioned the words simp, incel, and virgin as an insult would not be allowed.
In 2021, some female streamers had taken to streaming in or by swimming pools, hot-tubs, or small paddling pools; while only wearing a bikini. Despite being criticized as another example of flagrant rule breaking, Twitch would later announce the Pools, Hot Tubs, and Beaches category. They also clarified that “being found to be sexy” was not against Twitch’s rules.
