Twitch Sheds New Light on Community Guidelines Enforcement

Twitch, a live streaming platform, has recently announced changes to how it enforces its community guidelines. In an effort to create a safer space for its users, Twitch will introduce a new system where strikes for certain offenses will decrease in severity over time, provide more detailed information about strikes, and offer educational courses to minimize the impact of enforcement actions.

New Enforcement Strategy

Safety is Twitch’s top priority, with over 105 million users per month generating 1.3 trillion minutes of content. According to Rob Lewington, VP of Safety Operations, and Kristen Murdock, Director of Safety Risk and Response, the new enforcement strategy aims to strike a balance between safety and inclusivity.

In the current system, users receive strikes for community guideline violations, which accumulate and can lead to permanent suspension. Lewington stressed that this punitive approach didn’t align with Twitch’s vision, as long-term users who made mistakes faced severe consequences. The new strategy aims to offer users a second chance by forgiving certain strikes over time, allowing them to learn and grow from their experiences.

<h3ToStrikes and Information

Going forward, strikes for lower-severity offenses, like accidental nudity, will eventually expire. Lewington and Murdock acknowledged that establishing clear timelines for this expiring process is still an ongoing effort. High-severity offenses, however, such as child safety issues, terrorism, and hate speech, will always trigger more severe consequences.

In addition, Twitch will now provide specific context for each enforcement action, including the relevant chat message or clip. Lewington believes this added context will help users understand the reason behind the strike, while also offering tools to appeal the decision if they disagree.

Educational Courses and Quizzes

Twitch will also introduce educational courses and quizzes for users when a violation occurs. In one example, a streamer who received a strike for hateful conduct was able to reduce their suspension period after completing a relevant quiz and course. Murdock described the courses, developed in collaboration with organizations like the Anti-Defamation League, as addressing sensitive topics like hateful conduct, sexual content, and gambling. The goal is to provide consistent messaging for streamers and moderators, allowing users to understand what behaviors constitute a violation.

New Community Guidelines Enforcement in a Nutshell

• Strikes for low-severity offenses will expiring over time

<li Users will receive more information regarding strikes

• Educational courses and quizzes will help users learn and grow
• High-severity offenses will always trigger severe consequences

The new community guidelines enforcement strategy reflects Twitch’s commitment to ensuring the platform remains a safe space for its users. As the platform continues to grow and evolve, its adaptability and willingness to change demonstrate a proactive approach to fostering a welcoming environment.