Twitch is updating its policies to ban streamers who misinform their audience. Under the new rules, the platform will delete those who post false information. Specifically, the platform team posted a post in which it stated that it is proud that Twitch allows the creation of communities based on interests but does not support users who use the platform to spread false information. Although such users are few on Twitch, the team believes that they could be harmful if allowed on the platform.
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Indeed, the users who misinform the public are few and far between, since initially less than 100 accounts will be affected – due to the change in rules. Therefore, the policy change is more of a precautionary measure. In order for the platform to be able to delete these users, several criteria must be met by the specific accounts. The platform’s policy states that they try to remove accounts whose online presence is dedicated to sharing false information that has been debunked or shared.
The new policy rules also include false information related to COVID-19, election fraud, and conspiracy theories related to dangerous medical treatments. The change also puts users at risk of being banned for spreading misinformation promoted by conspiracy networks that are linked to and/or promote violence. The change also threatens accounts that spread information that could endanger public safety during emergencies.
Additionally, the platform stated that it collaborates with independent disinformation experts such as the Global Disinformation Index while consulting election boards and Congressional certification to judge whether a user is posting false information about election fraud and ballot tampering.
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Twitch told the New York Times that the policy applies to Russian state media channels that spread lies, although it has only identified one of them on the platform — at least to date. Other platforms — including Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Spotify and Reddit — have banned or restricted the distribution of content from Russian state media in the past week amid the country’s invasion of Ukraine.
It's worth noting that the policy also covers actions taken by creators outside of their Twitch streams. If you learn of a streamer who may be violating Twitch's policy, you can report them to the company via email.
Source: techcrunch.com
