Twitch is loosening its sexual content policy

Popular live broadcast platform Twitch recently updated its sexual content policy. The platform decided to simplify and loosen its relevant sexual content policies. As part of the change, the streaming platform will now allow some previously banned content as long as it has a label to alert viewers.

Sexual content policy relaxed

Twitch has long struggled with moderating content containing sexual material and has faced backlash in the past for its unregulated handling. The platform will now allow deliberately highlighted breasts, buttocks or pelvic area if there is a Content Classification Label (CCL), which Twitch launched in June for streamers to warn users if their streams contain sexual themes, gambling, vulgarity or other mature content.

The same goes for fully exposed female breasts and/or genitals or buttocks, as well as body writing on female breasts and/or buttocks, regardless of the gender drawn, animated or sculpted. Twitch will also not take action against streams containing erotic dances such as striptease if they have this tag. In response, Twitch is now also removing the tag requirement for streams that include twerking, dragging, and pole dancing.

They will not appear on the home page

Angela Hession, Twitch’s chief customer trust officer, says the old content policy “was not in line with industry standards and resulted in female streamers being disproportionately penalized.”

Although Twitch is loosening some restrictions on sexual content, it is not opening the door to sex games, sexual violence or porn. Twitch emphasizes that these are “completely prohibited.” Users will not be able to see adult publications on the home page. Drug, alcohol or excessive tobacco use; violence and graphic depictions; Any livestreams tagged with gambling and/or sexual themes will not appear as recommendations on Twitch’s homepage. This policy update by Twitch receives mixed reactions, but it should not be forgotten that the platform does not highlight such content, users decide what to watch and it is up to the user to direct the algorithm in the right direction.