Twitch's sexual content rules changed after 'topless meta', but also a win for artists
Twitch is changing its rules around sexual content after increased attention to the so-called 'topless meta'.
Several streamers went viral in early December for streaming while perceived to be topless: Using creative framing (such as a low-cut tube top or nipple covers and a well-positioned camera), the streamers maintained the illusion that they were naked while live on Twitch . One streamer and OnlyFans model, who goes by the online name Morgpie, was banned by Twitch after a topless stream – but the ban was for 'off-screen (boob) smacking', not for participating in the 'topless meta'. she said.
Like the hot tub meta of 2021 and boobie streamers for that, people are once again angry at successful women on the internet. The virality surrounding the incident was, as in the past, fueled by the belief that women use their looks – and sex appeal – to gain an unfair advantage over other streamers. It's a conversation (often accompanied by harassment) that women on the internet are familiar with, no matter what they do online. But when it comes to sexual content, things often explode.
The “topless meta,” a term coined by the Twitch community for this specific trend, is not as widespread as it seems given the overreaction. At the time of writing, several streamers are “topless” on Twitch, but they represent only a fraction of the Just Chatting category. But Twitch was forced to respond this week by clarifying and adjusting the rules for sexual content on the platform. The company is also going further and dropping some restrictions on sexual content, but keeping them (and other labels, like gambling or drugs and alcohol) off the Twitch homepage.
Under the new changes, Twitch will now allow streamers to broadcast content that “intentionally accentuates breasts, buttocks or pelvic area” even when fully clothed. according to an FAQ published Wednesday. The company admitted that its previous policies made it difficult for streamers to know what is on policy and what is against the rules. “Additionally, the former policy on sexually suggestive content was not in line with industry standards and resulted in female streamer hosts being disproportionately punished,” Twitch said.
Likewise, streamers can write on their bodies, something that aligns with Twitch's body art policy. (Sometimes Twitch viewers pay streamers to write something, like their name, on a streamer's body.) Stripteases are also now allowed with the label of sexual content, as are “twerking, grinding, and pole dancing.” However, streamers cannot stream in a strip club.
Twitch's new policy change also benefits artists on the platform, as Twitch now allows people to stream drawings with “a focus on fictionalized (drawn, animated, or sculpted) sexual body parts, regardless of gender,” such as live drawing of nude figures. However, this requires the label of sexual themes, and the art of “fictionalized sexual acts or masturbation” is still not allowed.
The hot tub meta of 2021 had a terribly Similar situation: After complaints from advertisers and certain viewers, Twitch added a new category specifically for these streams: Pools, Hot Tubs and Beaches. That's where swimwear, in the right environment, was allowed under the platform's clothing policy. Nudity and content vaguely described as “sexually explicit content” are not allowed, but it's okay to just exist in a pool in a bikini. “Being considered sexy by others does not violate our rules, and Twitch will not take enforcement action against women, or anyone on our service, because of their perceived attractiveness,” Twitch said at the time. The company has has since updated its policylike this week, to be more explicit about what is and is not allowed.
Anything tagged with the sexual content flag will remain off the Twitch homepage, as will anything tagged with gambling, drugs or alcohol, and violent or explicit images. (This does not include games with adult or profanity content, unless there is still one of the restricted tags.) Twitch said these streams will still be available in category recommendations on the homepage, and will still be available when searching for a Twitch stream.
The reaction to Twitch's new policy changes appears to be mostly positive among affected streamers, especially the art community, which is celebrating the ability to create art without the fear of a ban. And while reactions are still raging about the topless meta in corners of the internet, Morgpie, the banned streamer, also praised Twitch for handling its new guidelines: “I think this is a great way to handle this, bravo , ” she tweeted.