Twitch channels associated with popular content creators PewDiePie, Shroud, and Lirik were briefly banned on October 3, 2024. This move comes amid a significant rule change by the Amazon-owned platform aimed at combating impersonation.
The channels in question were streaming VOD content and YouTube videos from their respective creators, which appears to have triggered the bans. Both the Lirik and Shroud channels have been streaming 24/7 since August and September 2024, amassing thousands of followers and hundreds of viewers. PewDiePie’s Twitch channel, on the other hand, has been active since March 2023, when he sold the rights to CoPilotMedia. This channel has since gained over a million followers and a loyal daily viewership.
The bans were lifted just under 15 minutes after they were imposed, allowing fans to resume their viewing. Twitch’s updated Community Guidelines, revealed in early September, emphasize the platform’s stance against unoriginal content and impersonation. The guidelines state, “Impersonation is a malicious practice that compromises trust in our service and can harm the target of impersonation. Content or activity meant to impersonate an individual or organization is prohibited, including impersonation of Twitch staff, celebrities, companies, or friends.”
Twitch uses the example of “waiting room” streams, which are unauthorized channels rebroadcasting content from popular streamers, as a violation of these rules. This is precisely what the PewDiePie, Shroud, and Lirik channels were doing, leading to their temporary suspension.
PewDiePie’s Twitch channel has faced bans before. Shortly after its revival in March 2023, the channel was hit with two mysterious bans in May and July, prompting PewDiePie to address the situation. The Shroud and Lirik channels, which describe themselves as places for fans to “hang out,” were also scrutinized under the new guidelines.
The swift reinstatement of these channels suggests that Twitch is still fine-tuning its approach to enforcing these new rules. The platform’s efforts to maintain trust and authenticity among its community are evident, but the balance between content moderation and creator freedom remains a delicate one.
As Twitch continues to evolve its policies, content creators and viewers alike will need to stay informed and adapt to the changing landscape. The brief bans of PewDiePie, Shroud, and Lirik’s channels serve as a reminder of the platform’s commitment to combating impersonation and maintaining a trustworthy environment for its users.
