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Twitch is putting an end to streamers pretending to be nude on camera.
The live-streaming platform today announced a new rule change that prohibits “implied nudity while streaming on Twitch.” The company is doing so after several streamers recorded themselves seemingly naked, with the camera angle or filters blocking out the ensuing nudity.
Twitch added: “This update is in response to a recent meta [trend] on Twitch in which streamers use black censor bars or other items to block their bodies or clothing, or position the camera frame such that the viewer is led to believe that the streamer is fully or partially nude.”
The streamers behind the stunts properly labeled the content with the sexual theme tag. Nevertheless, Twitch said the video thumbnails created a disruptive experience for users, amid complaints that the video platform is on the verge of becoming a porn site.
Twitch added: “Our goal, with this and other recent changes, is to make Twitch a safe and welcoming place for all of the communities that call it home, improve the clarity of our policies, and ensure that people have the experience they expect when spending time on Twitch.”
The announcement comes weeks after Twitch tried to relax its rules on sexual content. In December, the platform began allowing content that “deliberately highlight[s] breasts, buttocks or pelvic region." In addition, Twitch permitted “artistic depictions” of nudity. But days later it backtracked on the change due to users posting AI-generated photorealistic nudes.
It looks like the company is once again trying to rein in the sexual content. Twitch adds that the rule change goes into effect immediately and that “sheer or partially see-through clothing” can also be flagged as implied nudity.