HardwareStreamingTwitch now requires a warning label for ‘politics and sensitive social issues,’ and it’s going over exactly as well as you’d expectWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
HardwareStreamingTwitch now requires a warning label for ‘politics and sensitive social issues,’ and it’s going over exactly as well as you’d expectWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: MARTIN BUREAU via Getty Images)
Twitch has added a new category to itscontent classification guidelinescovering “politics and sensitive social issues,” meaning that streams discussing topics such as “elections, civic integrity, war or military conflict, and civil rights” will need to labelled as such to ensure viewers don’t accidentally stumble into them and be exposed to content they might find offensive.
Content classification labels are required for streams that don’t violate Twitch’s community guidelines but contain material that might not be “appropriate for everyone, including younger viewers.” In the past, that’s included things like M-rated games, sexual themes, drug use, violence, and gambling. Now added to that list is a new, vaguely-defined category encompassing “discussions and debates about political or sensitive social issues.”
At around the same time, it came to light that Twitch had quietlystopped taking email-verified signupsfrom Israel and Palestine more than a year prior. Twitch quickly apologized for the “unacceptable miss and the confusion it has caused,” saying it initially disabled signups with email verification in the wake of the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023 “to prevent uploads of graphic material,” and somehow forgot to switch them back on.
The biggest gaming news, reviews and hardware deals
Content labels will not be required for streams “containing informational or educational content that aim to share knowledge in a neutral, fact-based manner, rather than engaging in any kind of advocacy for an issue or candidate.” Streams with “intermittent mentions of politics, politicians, or sensitive social issues” are also exempt from the labelling requirements.
Right off the top, the whole thing looks impossibly confusing and far more likely to make things worse than better. Does neutral, “educational content” include topics such as, for instance, the rise of fascism in the US or the attempted overthrow of the rightfully elected government on January 6, 2021, or does that fall under “commentary on election-related disputes?” Does a recitation of proposed anti-trans laws in Utah qualify as a “neutral, fact-based” presentation, or is that a discussion of a sensitive social issue? Who decides, and on what basis?
I don’t think content guidelines are an inherently bad thing, but these guidelines feel like a rushed, scattershot attempt to be seen “doing something” that ultimately adds up to nothing more than a cop-out. What is neutrality in the face of rising white supremacy and LGBTQ+ hatred? What is ideological when talking about a right to exist?
The response to the announcement of the new classification labels is predictably chaotic and widely unhappy. There are numerous calls on social media for popular streamers who focus on political topics to be banned (and accusations that Twitch is simply rolling out this new classification category to avoid doing so), predictions that antisemitism will become more widespread under the protection of “sensitive content,” and LGBTQ+ streamers asking if they’re going to have to apply warning labels to streams in which they simply talk about their lives, experiences, and identity.
Fr I am fuming at twitch rn. They are literally calling my existence, who I am and what I’ve been through a “sensitive/political” topic. I fucking deserve to be able to talk about my hysterectomy and reproductive health and freedom as well as being nonbinary and pansexual freelyNovember 1, 2024
Fr I am fuming at twitch rn. They are literally calling my existence, who I am and what I’ve been through a “sensitive/political” topic. I fucking deserve to be able to talk about my hysterectomy and reproductive health and freedom as well as being nonbinary and pansexual freelyNovember 1, 2024
“I had to have a hysterectomy at 25 due to severe debilitating endometriosis so reproductive health, rights, and freedom are something I feel I should be able to speak freely about as well since it is part of who I am,” streamer SerpentineCiCi told PC Gamer. “I also have been an advocate for theCenter for Reproductive Rightsas a charity and have used Twitch to raise money for them in the past.”
Some streamers are also worried about the potential revenue impact: Advertisers can, and often do, avoid streams with content warning labels, regardless of the context in which they’re applied.
I have a strong feeling that this new content category is going to miss the mark badly, and that modifications, or possibly a complete do-over, will happen sooner rather than later. It’s happened before: In December 2023 Twitchrelaxed its sexual content guidelinesto allow for “artistic depictions of nudity,” then rolled back the changejust two days laterwhen it figured out that “artistic” means different things to different people.
TOPICSTwitch
TOPICS
More about streamingPC Gamer Hardware Awards: The best microphone of 2024Henry Cavill’s Warhammer 40K cinematic universe signs on the line with Amazon and he’s over the moon: ‘A fantastic place to start’LatestToday’s Wordle answer for Sunday, January 12See more latest►
More about streamingPC Gamer Hardware Awards: The best microphone of 2024Henry Cavill’s Warhammer 40K cinematic universe signs on the line with Amazon and he’s over the moon: ‘A fantastic place to start’LatestToday’s Wordle answer for Sunday, January 12See more latest►
More about streamingPC Gamer Hardware Awards: The best microphone of 2024Henry Cavill’s Warhammer 40K cinematic universe signs on the line with Amazon and he’s over the moon: ‘A fantastic place to start’
More about streaming
PC Gamer Hardware Awards: The best microphone of 2024Henry Cavill’s Warhammer 40K cinematic universe signs on the line with Amazon and he’s over the moon: ‘A fantastic place to start’
PC Gamer Hardware Awards: The best microphone of 2024
PC Gamer Hardware Awards: The best microphone of 2024
Henry Cavill’s Warhammer 40K cinematic universe signs on the line with Amazon and he’s over the moon: ‘A fantastic place to start’
Henry Cavill’s Warhammer 40K cinematic universe signs on the line with Amazon and he’s over the moon: ‘A fantastic place to start’
LatestToday’s Wordle answer for Sunday, January 12See more latest►
Latest
Today’s Wordle answer for Sunday, January 12
Today’s Wordle answer for Sunday, January 12
Today’s Wordle answer for Sunday, January 12
See more latest►
Most PopularToday’s Wordle answer for Saturday, January 11The Last of Us season 2 trailer is a brief look at a story you should probably just play yourself in AprilLords of the Fallen publisher embraces fear of the DEI boogeyman, says it will not include ‘any social or political agendas’ in its gamesEpic CEO Tim Sweeney says tech leaders are ‘pretending to be Republicans’ to gain favor with Trump, skirt antitrust laws, and ultimately ‘rip off consumers and crush competitors’If you’re trying to convince me your ‘companionship’ robot is ‘lifelike’, maybe don’t rip her face off in the demo videoSquare Enix launches new anti-harassment policy to protect its employees and partners from abusive fansThe Sims begins its 25th anniversary celebration next week with a Behind The Sims episode of news and announcementsPath of Exile 2 numberlord spends 16 straight days killing rare monsters to prove that a stat that makes loot better makes better lootPalestinian developer raises more than $200,000 to make Dreams on a Pillow, a game about the horrors of the 1948 NakbaPiranha Games will lay off employees after Mechwarrior 5: Clans ‘performed below projections’Marvel Rivals’ latest update quietly killed the game’s burgeoning mod scene
Most PopularToday’s Wordle answer for Saturday, January 11The Last of Us season 2 trailer is a brief look at a story you should probably just play yourself in AprilLords of the Fallen publisher embraces fear of the DEI boogeyman, says it will not include ‘any social or political agendas’ in its gamesEpic CEO Tim Sweeney says tech leaders are ‘pretending to be Republicans’ to gain favor with Trump, skirt antitrust laws, and ultimately ‘rip off consumers and crush competitors’If you’re trying to convince me your ‘companionship’ robot is ‘lifelike’, maybe don’t rip her face off in the demo videoSquare Enix launches new anti-harassment policy to protect its employees and partners from abusive fansThe Sims begins its 25th anniversary celebration next week with a Behind The Sims episode of news and announcementsPath of Exile 2 numberlord spends 16 straight days killing rare monsters to prove that a stat that makes loot better makes better lootPalestinian developer raises more than $200,000 to make Dreams on a Pillow, a game about the horrors of the 1948 NakbaPiranha Games will lay off employees after Mechwarrior 5: Clans ‘performed below projections’Marvel Rivals’ latest update quietly killed the game’s burgeoning mod scene
Most PopularToday’s Wordle answer for Saturday, January 11The Last of Us season 2 trailer is a brief look at a story you should probably just play yourself in AprilLords of the Fallen publisher embraces fear of the DEI boogeyman, says it will not include ‘any social or political agendas’ in its gamesEpic CEO Tim Sweeney says tech leaders are ‘pretending to be Republicans’ to gain favor with Trump, skirt antitrust laws, and ultimately ‘rip off consumers and crush competitors’If you’re trying to convince me your ‘companionship’ robot is ‘lifelike’, maybe don’t rip her face off in the demo videoSquare Enix launches new anti-harassment policy to protect its employees and partners from abusive fansThe Sims begins its 25th anniversary celebration next week with a Behind The Sims episode of news and announcementsPath of Exile 2 numberlord spends 16 straight days killing rare monsters to prove that a stat that makes loot better makes better lootPalestinian developer raises more than $200,000 to make Dreams on a Pillow, a game about the horrors of the 1948 NakbaPiranha Games will lay off employees after Mechwarrior 5: Clans ‘performed below projections’Marvel Rivals’ latest update quietly killed the game’s burgeoning mod scene
Most Popular
Today’s Wordle answer for Saturday, January 11
The Last of Us season 2 trailer is a brief look at a story you should probably just play yourself in April
Lords of the Fallen publisher embraces fear of the DEI boogeyman, says it will not include ‘any social or political agendas’ in its games
Epic CEO Tim Sweeney says tech leaders are ‘pretending to be Republicans’ to gain favor with Trump, skirt antitrust laws, and ultimately ‘rip off consumers and crush competitors’
If you’re trying to convince me your ‘companionship’ robot is ‘lifelike’, maybe don’t rip her face off in the demo video
Square Enix launches new anti-harassment policy to protect its employees and partners from abusive fans
The Sims begins its 25th anniversary celebration next week with a Behind The Sims episode of news and announcements
Path of Exile 2 numberlord spends 16 straight days killing rare monsters to prove that a stat that makes loot better makes better loot
Palestinian developer raises more than $200,000 to make Dreams on a Pillow, a game about the horrors of the 1948 Nakba
Piranha Games will lay off employees after Mechwarrior 5: Clans ‘performed below projections’
Marvel Rivals’ latest update quietly killed the game’s burgeoning mod scene
HARDWARE BUYING GUIDESLATEST GAME REVIEWS1Best Steam Deck accessories in Australia for 2025: Our favorite docks, powerbanks and gamepads2Best graphics card for laptops: the mobile GPUs I’d want in my next gaming laptop3Best mini PCs in 2025: The compact computers I love the most4Best 14-inch gaming laptop: The top compact gaming laptops I’ve held in these hands5Best Mini-ITX motherboards in 2025: My pick from all the mini mobo marvels I’ve tested1Thank Goodness You’re Here! review: An anarchic treasure trove of jokes and skits2Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island review—like juggling chainsaws on horseback3WD Black SN850X 8 TB NVMe SSD review4Ikea Utespelare desk review5Asus ROG Harpe Ace Mini wireless mouse review
HARDWARE BUYING GUIDESLATEST GAME REVIEWS1Best Steam Deck accessories in Australia for 2025: Our favorite docks, powerbanks and gamepads2Best graphics card for laptops: the mobile GPUs I’d want in my next gaming laptop3Best mini PCs in 2025: The compact computers I love the most4Best 14-inch gaming laptop: The top compact gaming laptops I’ve held in these hands5Best Mini-ITX motherboards in 2025: My pick from all the mini mobo marvels I’ve tested1Thank Goodness You’re Here! review: An anarchic treasure trove of jokes and skits2Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island review—like juggling chainsaws on horseback3WD Black SN850X 8 TB NVMe SSD review4Ikea Utespelare desk review5Asus ROG Harpe Ace Mini wireless mouse review
HARDWARE BUYING GUIDESLATEST GAME REVIEWS1Best Steam Deck accessories in Australia for 2025: Our favorite docks, powerbanks and gamepads2Best graphics card for laptops: the mobile GPUs I’d want in my next gaming laptop3Best mini PCs in 2025: The compact computers I love the most4Best 14-inch gaming laptop: The top compact gaming laptops I’ve held in these hands5Best Mini-ITX motherboards in 2025: My pick from all the mini mobo marvels I’ve tested1Thank Goodness You’re Here! review: An anarchic treasure trove of jokes and skits2Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island review—like juggling chainsaws on horseback3WD Black SN850X 8 TB NVMe SSD review4Ikea Utespelare desk review5Asus ROG Harpe Ace Mini wireless mouse review
HARDWARE BUYING GUIDESLATEST GAME REVIEWS1Best Steam Deck accessories in Australia for 2025: Our favorite docks, powerbanks and gamepads2Best graphics card for laptops: the mobile GPUs I’d want in my next gaming laptop3Best mini PCs in 2025: The compact computers I love the most4Best 14-inch gaming laptop: The top compact gaming laptops I’ve held in these hands5Best Mini-ITX motherboards in 2025: My pick from all the mini mobo marvels I’ve tested1Thank Goodness You’re Here! review: An anarchic treasure trove of jokes and skits2Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island review—like juggling chainsaws on horseback3WD Black SN850X 8 TB NVMe SSD review4Ikea Utespelare desk review5Asus ROG Harpe Ace Mini wireless mouse review
HARDWARE BUYING GUIDESLATEST GAME REVIEWS
1Best Steam Deck accessories in Australia for 2025: Our favorite docks, powerbanks and gamepads
1Best Steam Deck accessories in Australia for 2025: Our favorite docks, powerbanks and gamepads
1
Best Steam Deck accessories in Australia for 2025: Our favorite docks, powerbanks and gamepads
2Best graphics card for laptops: the mobile GPUs I’d want in my next gaming laptop
2Best graphics card for laptops: the mobile GPUs I’d want in my next gaming laptop
2
Best graphics card for laptops: the mobile GPUs I’d want in my next gaming laptop
3Best mini PCs in 2025: The compact computers I love the most
3Best mini PCs in 2025: The compact computers I love the most
3
Best mini PCs in 2025: The compact computers I love the most
4Best 14-inch gaming laptop: The top compact gaming laptops I’ve held in these hands
4Best 14-inch gaming laptop: The top compact gaming laptops I’ve held in these hands
4
Best 14-inch gaming laptop: The top compact gaming laptops I’ve held in these hands
5Best Mini-ITX motherboards in 2025: My pick from all the mini mobo marvels I’ve tested
5Best Mini-ITX motherboards in 2025: My pick from all the mini mobo marvels I’ve tested
5
Best Mini-ITX motherboards in 2025: My pick from all the mini mobo marvels I’ve tested
1Thank Goodness You’re Here! review: An anarchic treasure trove of jokes and skits
1Thank Goodness You’re Here! review: An anarchic treasure trove of jokes and skits
1
Thank Goodness You’re Here! review: An anarchic treasure trove of jokes and skits
2Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island review—like juggling chainsaws on horseback
2Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island review—like juggling chainsaws on horseback
2
Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island review—like juggling chainsaws on horseback
3WD Black SN850X 8 TB NVMe SSD review
3WD Black SN850X 8 TB NVMe SSD review
3
WD Black SN850X 8 TB NVMe SSD review
4Ikea Utespelare desk review
4Ikea Utespelare desk review
4
Ikea Utespelare desk review
5Asus ROG Harpe Ace Mini wireless mouse review
5Asus ROG Harpe Ace Mini wireless mouse review
5
Asus ROG Harpe Ace Mini wireless mouse review
