I have been actively engaged with Twitch since late 2011, immersing myself first as a viewer, then as a streamer of gaming content from late 2012, and of music since late 2022. Over these years, I witnessed the platform's evolution and the introduction of numerous policies and community guidelines. However, my journey provided me with first hand evidence that these policies, specifically concerning account suspension and anti-harassment, are flawed and do not genuinely protect streamers. The ease with which an account can be suspended - temporarily or indefinitely - is troubling. Many times, the allegations behind these suspensions are inconsistent, unfabricated, malicious and are often misconstrued. Unfortunately, these changes seem not to prioritize the benefits and protections for us, the streamers. Streams are integral to the Twitch platform, and it should be paramount that we are given fair and equitable treatment.

Temporary & Permanent Suspensions: Presently, Twitch allows for the ease in which an account can be temporarily or indefinitely suspended. However, this often occurs without a clear explanation of the violation and rejecting appeals without detailing the reasons. This approach disregards the nuances of each individual situation, leaving the doors wide open for potential misuse. 

The situation aggravates when claims relating to account suspensions are inconsistent. While it's essential to address violations and maintain platform integrity, it's equally crucial that Twitch find more comprehensive ways to examine accounts once suspended. Whether this involves a third-party reviewing process or other impartial methods, it's a step forward in ensuring user fairness, equality and safety across the board, for streamers, moderators and viewers.

It is time for Twitch to re-evaluate its enforcement policies. We petition for Twitch to establish thorough procedures for examining an account's conduct before suspension. Twitch must ensure that any suspension allegations are upheld and consistent ensuring its policies offer robust protection for streamers. The company needs to reassess and clearly outline its stance against bullying and harassment on its platform. Transparency is crucial, so Twitch announcing the specific violations resulting in a streamer's suspension is an urgent necessity. Despite Twitch stating this streamers are still being reported even though they have done nothing and their accounts immediately suspended, when the suspension is appealed it is immediately rejected with the suspension being upheld. The fact that Twitch does not actually review video footage is an outrage, as each individual should be treated innocently until proven guilty. 

Safety Policies & Guidelines: According to a study by the Anti-Defamation League, 88% of adults who play video games online in the U.S experienced harassment (ADL, 2020). If tolerated, these practices have a significant emotional impact on users. Considering Twitch's enormous user base, the issue takes on considerable magnitude. In addition, Twitch's approach to dealing with bullying and harassment requires re-evaluation. It is our right as users and streamers to have a clear understanding of what constitutes inappropriate behaviour. Proper articulation and application of these guidelines will provide a safer environment, discouraging misuse of the platform while fostering respectful interactions.

Twitch has outlined in their safety policy that community is the heart of twitch made up of streamers, moderators and viewers where safety is the foundation. Further stating that they "want to foster a community that supports and sustains streamers’ ability to express themselves, and provides a welcoming and entertaining environment for viewers, free of illegal, harmful, and negative interactions", twitch promotes a zero-tolerance policy whereby individuals displaying violence, threatening, terrorism and violent extremism, hateful conduct and harassment, will be subject to penalties; regrettably this is not the case. 

There has been many streamers, moderators and viewers whom have been subjected to bullying, harassment, sexual threats, racial abuse as well as threats of violence on and off the platform - via streamers chat, whispers and other social platforms. These are often reported by individuals, whom either never receive a response from twitch, or if they do it is 9 out of 10 times are met with a automated response; whilst these individuals are free to continue such disgracing behaviour without any reprimands. 

Twitch states the following "Viewers, moderators, and streamers play a crucial role by reporting content or behaviour that breaks our Community Guidelines. Reports are reviewed by our global Safety Operations team who work 24/7/365 to ensure a swift response. In this way, we all work together to promote a safe and welcoming live environment". How can twitch claim to promote safety as being paramount, yet fail to protect the community?

Changes & Expectations: 

1. Re-evaluation on enforcement polices - whereby streamers, moderators and viewers, are clearly notified of what actions led up to suspensions being enforced. 
2. Re-evaluation into the procedures taken before an account is suspended, where twitch moderators review the footage to identify if any twitch guidelines were in fact broken.
3. Re-evaluation into the ease in which streamers, moderators and viewers are able to report individuals without a justified reason, which ultimately subjective to streamers being shut down during their streams. 
4. Re-evaluation into reviewing claims of temporary and indefinite suspensions, where all claims are reviewed by a 'real person' and not an automated bot. 
5. Re-evaluation into claims that are falsely made are permanently removed from accounts. 
6. Re-evaluation into any reports made that are subject to all and any forms of bullying and harassment are reviewed by a 'real person' and not automated bots.
7. Re-evaluation of the safety guidelines where those found guilty of conducting such behaviour are punished, especially when evidence is provided.
8. Re-evaluation into the community guidelines which offers streamers with detailed examples of what is not deemed acceptable by twitch, and ways in which to avoid suspensions in general. 
9. Re-evaluation into ways to protect individuals who are subjected to frequent false reports, which leads to suspensions both temporarily and indefinitely. 
10. To give streamers back their achievements once it has been identified that they were wrongly suspended. 

Streamers, moderators and viewers such as you and I are the twitch community, without us twitch simply wouldn't exist. Why are we allowing them to continually subjective us to such inequality? We all have voices, but as one we can and shall be heard. Join us in sending a clear message to Twitch. We need an open, safe, and constructive platform for everyone. Sign this petition to champion the refining of Twitch's enforcement, suspension, and anti-harassment policies. Your involvement can shape the future of streaming sustainably and safety, not just for the streamers and moderators but also the viewers. 

 “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” — Helen Keller