Twitch’s Ban System in Turmoil: Why Are Some Streamers Getting Special Treatment?

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Twitch bans remain a confusing and unpredictable issue for both streamers and their viewers.

Many people are left wondering what the reasons behind these bans are.

During TwitchCon 2024, the company expressed its goal to improve moderation and make it clearer for everyone involved.

They announced plans to share more information about why a streamer was banned.

This would include showing chat excerpts or clips from streams if a rule was violated in those areas.

These changes are certainly a step in the right direction.

For too long, streamers would get banned without knowing exactly what they did wrong.

However, one major problem still needs addressing: the length of bans.

When deciding how long a streamer will be banned, it can often feel random.

Some may feel that Twitch is just throwing darts at a board to decide ban durations.

On October 16, Twitch took action and banned Asmongold, a well-known streamer, after some serious comments he made.

He referred to the people of Palestine as part of an “inferior culture” during a livestream.

This has raised questions about why his suspension was set for 14 days.

Typically, violations of Twitch’s hateful conduct rules have led to 30-day bans before.

It seems inconsistent when you compare this ban to those of other streamers in similar situations.

For instance, the same punishment was given to Destiny and m0E in 2019 for using a homophobic slur.

If the rule is that serious, then why the lighter punishment for Asmongold?

Even NICKMERCS received a 10-day ban in 2024 for using a transphobic slur when he should have faced a longer suspension.

Earlier cases, like JiDion’s, show how unpredictable things can be.

He was first suspended for 14 days for starting a hate raid against Pokimane, but that was eventually changed to a permanent ban which took over two years to lift.

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The inconsistencies in Twitch’s banning system have drawn significant attention and confusion from both streamers and their audiences.

Many users are left questioning the reasons behind these penalties.

At TwitchCon 2024, the platform revealed its intention to enhance its moderation practices and make these processes clearer for everyone involved.

They committed to providing more detailed explanations for why streamers receive bans.

These updates will involve sharing chat excerpts or video clips if the breach occurred in those formats.

This initiative is certainly a constructive move forward.

For far too long, streamers faced suspensions without understanding the specific misconduct that led to their bans.

Nonetheless, a significant concern still requires attention: the duration of these bans.

When Twitch determines how long a streamer should be banned, the decision can often appear arbitrary.

Some believe that the platform randomly selects ban lengths, much like throwing darts at a board.

On October 16, Twitch banned popular streamer Asmongold due to controversial remarks he made during a live broadcast.

He referred to the Palestinian people as part of an “inferior culture,” which sparked outrage.

This situation has prompted inquiries into why his ban was set for just 14 days.

Generally, infractions involving Twitch’s hateful conduct guidelines have resulted in 30-day bans in the past.

If such violations are taken seriously, why was Asmongold’s punishment less severe?

In fact, NICKMERCS was handed a 10-day ban in 2024 for using a transphobic slur, which also raises concerns about consistency.

Previous cases like JiDion’s illustrate the erratic nature of Twitch’s moderation.

Initially, JiDion received a 14-day suspension for instigating a hate raid targeting Pokimane, but his penalty was later upgraded to a permanent ban that took nearly two years to reverse.

This ongoing pattern of varied responses to misconduct has led to perceptions of favoritism and inequity in Twitch’s enforcement of its community guidelines.

Ultimately, clearer guidelines and a transparent framework for determining ban durations would greatly benefit both Twitch and its community.

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author on the blog

Stefan Mitrovic

Stefan is a long-time content creator and one of the Stream Mentor's co-founders. He's a tech geek and a Dota 2 player (not even a good one) who wanted to help others become professional streamers and earn from the comfort of their home.