Twitch Streamers Can Now Block Banned Users from Watching and Chatting
If you're a Twitch streamer, you'll soon have the option of blocking banned users from both chatting and watching your streams entirely. Previously, they'd be able to watch your content without that chat functionality, but soon they'll be instantly cut off from your streams. It's a small but welcome change in how platforms handle such issues, and it's one of a handful of changes Twitch is making in the wake of a streamer's fatal stunt.
The change was highlighted by Twitch streamer Lowco in a post on Twitter, in which they say, "Twitch just announced that banned viewers will be blocked from watching the stream entirely, not just the chat, when a streamer bans them." The post includes a screenshot of their Twitch dashboard, which shows the new feature will be optional, and will become widely available in September.
When it's enabled, banned users will instantly lose access to live streams from the banning channel, including both chat and stream. However, for now, they'll be able to watch on-demand videos and clips. Lowco suggests this may change in the future.
While a small change, the implementation of this feature is seen as a positive step in maintaining functional and open internet communities. It's particularly important given the prevalence of stalking issues in Twitch and livestreaming culture, and the fact that many streamers find themselves in unsafe, potentially dangerous situations because of the platform's lax moderation and inability to address toxic viewers.
The change will roll out to all users in September, and streamers can turn it on or off according to their preference. If someone is banned mid-stream, they will be immediately cut off from the stream. Blocked users will be automatically prevented from watching the stream.
However, the upcoming change also highlights a potential flaw in Twitch's banning practices. The article notes that the implementation of IP bans is being considered to address the issue of banned users creating new accounts to circumvent the ban.
In one particularly notable case, a Twitch streamer faced legal charges for inciting a riot during a giveaway stunt. The incident highlighted the fact that the platform's banning procedures were unable to prevent the streamer from inciting violence from the safety of their home.
The article was originally published by PC Gamer. The source of the information is Eurogamer.
