Twitch’s New Sexual Content Guidelines Updated to Include ‘Artistic Nudity’ After Viral Topless Stream
UPDATE DEC 15, 2023: Twitch has made a dramatic U-turn on its controversial decision to allow “artistic depictions of nudity” on its platform, blaming chaos caused by AI.Twitch CEO Daniel Clancy issued a statement explaining the rolling back of the artistic nudity changes:Much of the content created has been met with community concern. These are concerns we share. Upon reflection, we have decided that we went too far with this change. Digital depictions of nudity present a unique challenge – AI can be used to create realistic images, and it can be hard to distinguish between digital art and photography.So, effective today, we are rolling back the artistic nudity changes. Moving forward, depictions of real or fictional nudity won’t be allowed on Twitch, regardless of the medium. This restriction does not apply to Mature-rated games. You can find emote-specific standards for nudity and sexual content in the Emote Guidelines. We aren’t making other changes to the updated Sexual Content Policy.We are in the process of pushing out updates to our Community Guidelines that reflect this change. It will take a few days for both this blog and for the new Community Guidelines to be translated.While I wish we would have predicted this outcome, part of our job is to make adjustments that serve the community. I apologize for the confusion that this update has caused.ORIGINAL STORY DEC 14, 2023: A viral stream featuring an OnlyFans model has led Twitch to update its sexual content guidelines, with new allowances made for erotic dances, body writing and other forms of what it deems “artistic depictions of nudity.”Twitch says that it will now allow the following content as long as it is “properly labeled.”Content that ‘deliberately highlighted breasts, buttocks or pelvic region,’ even when fully clothed.Fictionalized (drawn, animated, or sculpted) fully exposed female-presenting breasts and/or genitals or buttocks regardless of gender.Body writing on female-presenting breasts and/or buttocks regardless of gender.Erotic dances that involve disrobing or disrobing gestures, such as strip teases. Popular dances, such as twerking, grinding, and pole dancing are now allowed without a label. The full post also includes an FAQ in which Twitch addresses questions around nudity in gaming (pornographic games are prohibited, but games with “incidental nudity” are okay), as well as its Content Classification Label System. Predictably, users on X/Twitter and elsewhere had plenty of fun with the new guidelines as the term “Artistic Nudity” began trending on the platform. Twitch has historically struggled with sexual contentTwitch has struggled with risque streaming types through its history, a famous example being 2021’s “hot tub meta,” which saw streamers lounge in a jacuzzi in suggestive ways. Back in 2022, Twitch pulled a new feature which was used to push porn onto its front page.OnlyFans model Morgpie gained attention on December 8 when they seemingly appeared on a stream topless, but only showed their chest / upper breast area. Morgpie’s ability to toe the line on Twitch’s guidelines sparked debate the platform’s users, seemingly leading Twitch to clarify its rules, though she was banned soon afterward.“I think, honestly, a big part of that is due to the outrage,” Morgpie told Dexerto. “Because we are within TOS. Their TOS are very open-ended. Nobody is breaking the terms of service. Me standing here like this, it’s just my shoulders.”Morpie will doubtlessly be far from the last streamer to try and circumvent Twitch’s sexual content guidelines. In the meantime, Twitch says it’s seeking feedback, and that it will “continue to explore adding more personalized viewer settings in the future.”Kat Bailey is IGN’s News Director as well as co-host of Nintendo Voice Chat. Have a tip? Send her a DM at @the_katbot.
