Twitch hot tub content gets dedicated category; being sexy is not against the rules, streaming platform says

Twitch sets the record straight in the ongoing conversations about so-called hot tub streamers on its platform, along with launching a new category for them. The streaming giant also clarified its rules on content that viewers may or may not deem as sexually suggestive.

Twitch addresses debates on hot tub and ‘sexy’ streams

Over the past few days, streamers and Twitch viewers have been engaged in debates centered on the rules and monetization of content from hot tub streamers. And on Friday, the Amazon-owned platform released a lengthy blog post explaining why not all videos that fall under this category deserve to be removed or demonetized based on the existing terms of service.

Twitch clarified that streamers could appear in swimwear without breaking the platform’s rules, as long as they do it in “appropriate situations,” like if they are in a hot tub, a pool, or at the beach. One of the company’s immediate actions was to add a dedicated category for streams done in these locations. This means, starting May 21, Twitch viewers can find under the Browse tab a new category labeled “Pools, Hot Tubs, and Beaches.”

There are mixed reactions online on the addition of a new category instead of completely banning these types of content. Many Twitch users sarcastically suggest the platform is perpetuating NSFW content with memes attaching the Twitch name to logos of known pornographic websites. However, Twitch noted, “Being found to be sexy by others is not against our rules, and Twitch will not take enforcement action against women, or anyone on our service, for their perceived attractiveness.”

The company also referred to the Nudity and Attire and Sexually Suggestive Content sections of its current terms of service to further explain why it will not ban all streams from a hot tub. In the former, the rules indicate that full and partial nudity exposing genitals or buttocks are prohibited. The terms also “ask” women to keep their nipples and underbust covered, while “cleavage is unrestricted.”

Twitch says it’s a ‘mistake’ removing ads without prior notice

Twitch was obliged to address hot tub streams after one of its most popular hot tub streamers Kaitlyn “Amouranth” Siragusa, who currently has 2.8 million subscribers on Twitch, learned earlier this week that her channel was suddenly demonetized. In a Twitter thread, Siragusa narrated that the company did not communicate with her about the suspension of her ads revenue from the platform. “Twitch didn't reach out in any way whatsoever,” the streamer wrote. “I had to initiate the conversation after noticing, without any prior warning.”

In Twitch’s Friday blog post, the company admitted this method of removing ads from concerned streamers was a mistake and that it is in the process of communicating with affected streamers to restore ads on their channels. But the company also clarified that brands advertising on the platform have the discretion on when and where their ads will appear. “Today, they can target or avoid specific categories of content and flag channels that don’t meet their standards,” Twitch added.

Photo by Gage Skidmore from Flickr under Creative Commons license CC BY-SA 2.0