Twitch has banned implied nudity after weeks of “meta” changes and rules skirting.
Streaming platform Twitch has outlined new rules banning “implied nudity” on its platform. The new rules came into force today (Dec. 3) with the release of a post on Twitch’s Safety Center.
The ban comes after weeks of controversy over nudity restrictions on Twitch. The company initially found itself in hot water after streamer Morgpie seemingly streamed topless in a restriction skirting move. Following this, the company banned Morgpie on Dec. 11, before unbanning her on Dec. 13 pending new changes to the nudity rules.
On Dec. 14, Twitch unveiled new “sexual content” guidelines permitting artistic nudity, so long as it was clearly labeled as such in the stream tags. However, this policy also found itself pushed to its limits over the next few days, with illustrators and models displaying full nudity in their streams. On Dec. 18, Twitch banned artistic, real, or fictional nudity.
However, this still led to a new meta, in which streamers were using ‘censor bars’ to hide their nudity, implying but not overtly showing nudity. In effect, they weren’t breaking the rules. This led to number of bizarre situations, from streamer Tectone’s war with Genshin Impact streamers, to women streaming in bikini’s using censor bars to imply their were naked. All in all, not what Twitch had intended.
Now, with a new year rolling in, Twitch is attempting to take control again. In the new rules the company outlines the restrictions on implied nudity in bolded text.
Twitch bans implied nudity
The updated Attire Policy now reads (new language in bold):
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. We do not permit the visible outline of genitals, even when covered. Broadcasting nude or partially nude minors is always prohibited, regardless of context.
For those who present as women, 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.
For all streamers, you must cover the area extending from your hips to the bottom of your pelvis and buttocks.
Seemingly airtight rules, but somehow also creepy and invasive. Perhaps it’s just awkward anytime your parents or teachers or *checks notes* streaming platform talks about your “pelvis and buttocks.”
However, Twitch finds itself in an unenviable position. It must balance being advertiser safe, while being free enough to allow creativity and creators to thrive. And unfortunately, rules and restrictions have a strange way of pushing the creative to be even more inventive in their evasion of those rules.