There has been an extensive update to Twitch’s nudity and attire rules for streamers this week. The update is intended to accommodate situations like body art, cosplay, and streams from the beach in which streamers attire would typically break the more broad rules that Twitch laid out previously. This update has seemingly been rolled out in response to the banning of the body painting streamer Forkgirl on February 13th.
Over the years Twitch has had notoriously strict rules and has banned many high profile streamers for different reasons. Some of these bans make quite a bit of sense like when streamer SoaRCarl fired a gun on air while intoxicated. There was also the time that Dr. Disrespect received a brief ban after filming from within an E3 2019 bathroom. Both of these bans make sense as one showed off dangerous behavior whereas the other was invading the privacy of others. Other bans are more confusing like when Shybear was banned for showing off an unfinished nude painting on stream that did not actually violate any of Twitch’s rules.
Forkgirl was the most prominent streamer who received a ban for what Twitch refers to as “sexually suggestive” content recently. Polygon reports that with the new Twitch rules that are being put in place, people like Forkgirl will be able to stream without fear of repercussions. The rules will still prohibit things like “exposed genitalia, buttocks, and female nipples,” but Twitch did say “cleavage is unrestricted as long as these coverage requirements are met.“
There will now be several contextual exceptions to the rules that streamers will need to keep in mind. When it comes to IRL streaming, people in the background of the shot will not be held to the same standards, but streamers are expected to remove any nudity that appears. Swimwear at the beach, pool, or festival is allowed as long as women cover their nipples and don’t draw attention to their buttocks. The biggest change though seems to be for any individuals involved in body art. Users can be completely naked on stream as long as genitals and nipples are covered with non-transparent coverings, which is what Forkgirl was pushing for after she received what many believed to be an unjust penalty.
It makes sense that Twitch would want to protect its viewers from sexually suggestive content, but at the same time these heavily detailed rules seem like a bit much. Addtionally, the rules are a lot for streamers to keep in mind while also being confusing. Luckily, users like Forkgirl will now be able to do what they do without worrying about violating rules as long as they follow Twitch’s exhaustive list, but there’s bound to be more confusion and controversy before the rules are really hammered out.
Source: Polygon