- Names with references to sexual acts, hate, or hard drugs will be banned
- Twitch says this change is to achieve “higher standards” for their services
- The new changes will take effect on March 1
Popular streaming platform Twitch will implement new naming rules that are aimed at users who have offensive or inappropriate references in their names.
Changes Coming to Twitch’s Terms of Service
Many people choose to use silly nicknames when it comes to online presence, especially in the gaming world. Obviously, this extends to streaming platforms like Twitch. However, sometimes these nicknames can be somewhat controversial according to certain sides. Therefore, Twitch decided to change its username policy in an effort to ensure some manners and decorum. “Because of this, we have additional, higher standards for usernames based on reducing harm across our services,” Twitch’s announcement says.
From the 1st of March, 2022, new usernames will NOT be allowed to include references to:
- Breaking the Law, including Terrorism and Child Exploitation
- Violence and Threats
- Hateful Conduct
- Harassment and Sexual Harassment
- Unauthorized Sharing of Private Information
- Impersonation
- Glorification of natural or violent tragedies
- Self-Destructive Behavior
- References to recreational drugs, hard drugs, and drug abuse, with exceptions for alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana
- References to sexual acts, genital, or sexual fluids
The new policy will roll out in a tiered system, which will affect users with potentially offensive names differently. Those users who violate the new additions to the policy will be forced to undergo an immediate name reset.
How Does Twitch Plan to Enforce the New Rules?
The March 1 date for the new policy to take effect is chosen to give users a fair amount of time to make changes to their accounts. If users do now comply and change their names (if they are considered breaking Twitch’s new guidelines) they can expect punishments ranging from forced name changes to possible bans.
Twitch mentioned that its automated system is not perfect and some TOS-breaking usernames might get passed. The Amazon-owned company encouraged users that come across such names to report them directly.
Not all rule-breaking names will be treated the same way. If a user is found to have a name that references hatred, harassment, or violence, they will be issued an indefinite suspension. While others, who have references to hard drugs or sexual conduct in their usernames, will be asked to change their names.
