Twitch has finally brought clarification to its perplexing guidelines regarding sexual content after a creator appeared seemingly topless in a stream. This incident compelled viewers to question just what kind of content is allowed to appear, and what could get you banned on livestreams.
Following user feedback, Twitch merged the two sexual content policy sections (which were originally separated) on its guidelines page, noting that some materials that were previously prohibited on the platform are now allowed as long as they have proper labels.
This includes content that “deliberately highlight breasts, buttocks and pelvic region” when fully clothed. Twitch has admitted that this has caused female streamers to be disproportionately penalized.
The website also allows streams to show sculpted, drawn, or animated female breasts, buttocks, or genitalia that are fully exposed. Still, fictionalized acts of sex and masturbation remain prohibited.
Videos that show off writing on female breasts and buttocks are now permitted, in addition to videos containing strip tease dances. Meanwhile. dance moves including grinding and twerking can now be shown off in videos without labels.
In addition to providing clarification regarding sexual content policies, Twitch has altered the homepage algorithm such that it no longer recommends content with the labels Excessive Tobacco Use, Gambling, Drugs, Violent, Graphic Depictions, and general Sexual Themes. The site explains that while viewers must deliberately click on homepage videos to watch them, streams with said themes were still visible to those who may not want to see the thumbnails.
Today, viewers need to explicitly seek out videos containing sexual themes.