Twitch Ends Implied Nudity Policy After Censorship Bar Trend

LOS ANGELES—Twitch, the Amazon-owned live streaming platform, has again walked back a major policy change on sexual content after weeks of controversy among users and streamers.  “This update is in response to a recent meta on Twitch in which streamers use black censor bars or other items to block their bodies or clothing, or position the camera frame such that the viewer is led to believe that the streamer is fully or partially nude,” said Angela Hession, Twitch’s chief customer trust officer, in a blog post.  “While most streamers have labeled this content appropriately with the Sexual Themes label and are wearing clothing behind the object or outside the camera frame, for many users, the thumbnails of this content can be disruptive to their experience on Twitch.” The updated policy reads that, “We don’t permit streamers to be fully or partially nude, including exposing genitals or buttocks.”  “Nor do we permit streamers to imply or suggest that they are fully or partially nude, including, but not limited to, covering breasts or genitals with objects or censor bars,” reads the update. “We ask that you cover your nipples and do not expose underbust. Cleavage is unrestricted as long as these coverage requirements are met and it is clear that the streamer is wearing clothing.”  Twitch previously issued a new sexual content policy that expanded the opportunity for streamers—particularly female streamers—to post mature content with the appropriate labeling.  Issued on December 13, Twitch issued the permission to post “artistic” depictions of nudity and sexual behavior, including art, animation, and a variety of fictional styles.  On December 15, the Twitch trust and safety team chose to draw back the artistic nudity portion of the new sexual content policy.