Twitch’s New Attire Policy: No Implied Nudity Allowed
In a bid to maintain a safe and welcoming environment for all, Twitch has updated its attire policy to prohibit implied nudity on the streaming platform, starting today. The move comes in response to a recent surge of streamers using black censor bars or objects to block their bodies, giving the impression of full or partial nudity. This, according to Twitch, can be disruptive to the user experience as thumbnails of such content may not be appropriately labeled with the Sexual Themes label, violating the platform’s guidelines.
While the platform has always prohibited streamers from being fully or partially nude, the updated policy now explicitly states that streamers are not allowed to imply or suggest full or partial nudity, including using objects or censor bars to cover breasts or genitals. For streamers presenting as women, cleavage is permitted as long as nipples and underbust are not exposed, and it must be clear that the streamer is wearing clothing. Coverage is also required to be fully opaque, ruling out sheer or partially see-through clothing as a form of coverage. Additionally, streamers are expected to categorize their content accurately, for instance, by using the ‘Pools, Hot Tubs and Beaches’ category when appropriate. Failure to do so may lead to enforcement actions, according to Twitch.
This amendment follows an update to Twitch’s sexual content policy back in December. In line with this, sexually suggestive content is allowed but must adhere to specific rules and be correctly labeled. The impact of these changes will be seen in the recommendation system, as content labeled with sexual themes will no longer be included in homepage recommendations, although it will still remain in the category browse directories. Previously, the platform allowed for artistic nudity, but due to an influx of sexual content that stretched the boundaries of Twitch’s policies, the platform revised its stance on nudity to better uphold its goal of providing a safe and appropriate environment for all users.
The adjustments to the attire policy are part of Twitch’s ongoing efforts to improve the clarity of its guidelines and maintain a positive experience for its diverse user base. The platform is also working on features to allow users to filter their Twitch viewing experience based on their preferences for content labeled with Content Classification Labels (CCL), further demonstrating its commitment to providing a safe and enjoyable space for everyone.