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Twitch delays enforcement of new community guidelines over clarity concerns

Video platform criticised for new guidelines being vague

Twitch has delayed introducing its new community guidelines, saying it needed to "better explain some sections" after users raised concerns over clarity.

The guidelines - targeting harassment, hateful content, and sexually suggestive material - have been criticised by the community for being vague and poorly phrased.

In particular, streamers were concerned about the guidelines regarding viewer behaviour, which placed responsibility of viewers' actions onto the streamer.

"Creators are role models and leaders of the communities they create or foster around them," read the section on harassment and hate speech.

"Creators should consider the consequences of their statements and actions of their audiences; we ask that you make a good faith effort to quell any efforts from those in your community to harass others."

After receiving feedback from the community, Twitch announced that it will delay introducing the new guidelines until March 5, when the issues have been addressed.

"Thanks for all your insightful feedback on our new Community Guidelines," the company said on Twitter. "It's important they're clear to everyone and we need to better explain some sections, so we're pushing back enforcement to start March 5. We'll release an updated FAQ before then."

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Ivy Taylor avatar
Ivy Taylor: Ivy joined GamesIndustry.biz in 2017 having previously worked as a regional journalist, and a political campaigns manager before that. They are also one of the UK's foremost Sonic the Hedgehog apologists.
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