In the future, getting banned on Twitch might not mean losing access entirely. Just half of it?
Twitch has announced an overhaul of its banning system. In the future, users may no longer lose access to their entire account, but only to specific features.
Twitch Splits Bans Into Streaming And Chat Suspensions
Twitch will no longer automatically enforce complete bans in every case. In the future, a suspension may not result in losing full access to the platform. Instead, Twitch is separating its enforcement system into two main categories: streaming suspensions and chat suspensions. These two types can be applied independently.
A streaming suspension prevents a user from going live. However, their account remains accessible, and viewers can still find the channel and watch existing VODs. A chat suspension, on the other hand, removes the ability to send messages in other streams. Users can still broadcast and communicate within their own channel.
In cases involving more serious violations, Twitch may apply both types of suspensions simultaneously. The most severe offenses will continue to result in a full ban, meaning complete loss of access to the platform. Suspension lengths remain unchanged, with temporary bans lasting up to 30 days. Repeated violations can escalate to suspensions lasting up to two years.
In its official statement, Twitch explained:
The severity of a violation is based on the level of harm that we think a violation causes or could cause. We define harm as including actions that lead to physical, emotional, social, or financial damage to a community member or to Twitch.
The Amazon-owned platform further added:
We’ve developed an internal framework to map out our policies against categories of harm levels that are treated similarly. At the high end, this includes violations that present an urgent risk to physical safety. At the low end, this includes violations which are lower in urgency and may result in more of a mild disruption or annoyance.
All other policies, including the Terms of Service, remain unchanged.
In addition, Twitch CEO Dan Clancy announced separately that there will no longer be penalties for combining Twitch chat with chats from other platforms.
In the end, we will have to see how the new banning system plays out. At first glance, the changes seem reasonable, especially since not every minor offense now sends you straight to the shadow realm. Let’s just hope the ones who truly deserve it still end up there.
