As December 2023 rolled around, some streamers cleverly thought about playing around with Twitch’s restrictions on nudity and broadcasting in a way that made it seem like they were completely naked on camera. In response, Twitch began banning people before switching gears to allow various forms of “artistic nudity” to spread on the platform. However, after he immediately reversed the decision and expressed that being naked while livestreaming was a taboothe company is make it clear now that even implied nudity is prohibited and that anyone attempting to circumvent the rules will face disciplinary action.
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In a blog post from January 3rd, the company unveiled the new guidelines regarding implied nudity on the platform, which is now banned with immediate effect. Anyone who shows skin that should be covered under the rules — think genitals, nipples “for those posing as women,” and the like — will face “an enforcement action,” although Twitch hasn’t specified what that means . So if you wear see-through or partially see-through clothing or use black stripes to cover your private parts, you are more likely to be subject to disciplinary action.
“We do not allow streamers to be fully or partially nude, including exposure of genitals or buttocks. We also do not allow streamers to appear or imply that they are fully or partially nude, including, but not limited to, covering breasts or genitals with objects or censorship poles“,” the company said in the blog post. “We do not allow visible outlines of genitals, even if they are covered. Broadcasting nude or partially nude minors is always prohibited, regardless of the context. If you present as a woman, we ask that you cover your nipples and not expose your underbust. Cleavage is possible without restrictions as long as these coverage requirements are met and it is clearly visible that the streamer is wearing clothing. With all streamers you need to cover the area from your hips to the bottom of your pelvis and buttocks.”
The company said that in response to this policy change, livestreamers must continue to appropriately categorize their broadcasts. However, there is an exception. Content creators who classify their streams under this the “Pools, Hot Tubs and Beaches” category. are allowed to wear things like swimsuits, “as long as [the attire] completely covers the genitals,” The company sets out its community guidelines. Nevertheless, streamers must follow the rules not to expose themselves. Or but. As Twitch made clear in its January 3 blog post, this adjustment to the platform’s clothing rules follows the nudity meta that dominated live streams in December 2023.
Wait, nudity was Twitch’s new meta?
At the beginning of December some streamers, including Morgpie And LifeStix’s, began broadcasting seemingly completely naked. In reality, these content creators implied nudity by positioning their cameras at the right angle to show plenty of cleavage but keep nipples out of sight. “Artistic nudity” it was called and when the meta took over the platform, Twitch admitted
Unfortunately, things became increasingly heated and content creators went to the extreme by appearing completely naked in front of the camera – save for black censorship strips or carefully placed objects covering their private parts – according to the platform enough is enough and canceled immediately the policy change. In this new update, the company now explicitly bans implied nudity and is preparing to discipline any streamer who steps out of line.
My city I reached out to Twitch for comment.
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CEO Dan Clancy said on December 15th that “depictions of real or fictional nudity are not permitted on Twitch, regardless of medium.” He also apologized for the confusion this whole situation had caused, saying that part of Twitch’s job was to “make adjustments to suit the community serve”. So be careful, streamers. If you show up naked on the platform, Twitch will be there for you.