Twitch has revamped its enforcement system to offer a more lenient approach towards violations committed by streamers. The platform aims to mitigate the long-term consequences of minor infractions, allowing creators to maintain their communities without enduring permanent strikes. This update is part of Twitch’s ongoing efforts to balance community standards with streamer support.
While historically Twitch enforced a strict policy where all violations resulted in permanent strikes, leading to potential indefinite suspensions, the new system introduces a temporal aspect to disciplinary actions. This change reflects Twitch’s response to feedback regarding the harshness of previous enforcement measures.
New Strike Expiration Timeline
Under the updated policy, low-severity violations such as cheating in online games will now expire after 90 days. High-severity offenses like hateful conduct remain on a streamer’s record for one to two years.
“Before today, every violation counted against your account permanently, even minor violations of our rules,”
Twitch stated in their announcement, highlighting the shift towards a more forgiving system.
Tracking Violations via Appeals Portal
Streamers can now monitor their violations through the Appeals Portal, which provides detailed information about each infraction and its expiration date. This addition ensures greater transparency and allows streamers to track their standing within the platform’s guidelines.
Consequences for Repeat Offenders
Even with expiring strikes, Twitch enforces stricter penalties for repeat offenders. Violating the same policy multiple times within the expiration window results in escalating sanctions.
“For example, if you receive a stream sniping violation and then stream snipe someone else in a month (before the prior violation has expired), you will receive a longer suspension the second time because it was the same type of violation.”
Additionally, severe or repeated violations can lead to indefinite suspensions, with a possibility of reinstatement after six months.
The revised enforcement system offers streamers the opportunity to recover from minor violations, encouraging adherence to community guidelines without fear of permanent repercussions. By providing detailed information on each violation and its outcome, Twitch facilitates a clearer understanding of acceptable behavior on the platform. Streamers are now better equipped to maintain their channels and engage with their communities responsibly, fostering a healthier and more sustainable streaming environment.
