Amazon-owned streaming service Twitch has released an extremely detailed nudity and attire policy, following complaints.
Twitch, which is widely used by gamers around the world, has been criticised int he past for not doing enough to prevent scantily clad gamers – largely due to vague community guidelines around the topic.
However, the new policy leaves little room for questions.
“We don’t permit streamers to be fully or partially nude, including exposing genitals or buttocks. We do not permit the visible outline of genitals, even when covered,” Twitch said.
“Broadcasting nude or partially nude minors is always prohibited, regardless of context.”
The guidelines also outline extra protocols for female streamers, seemingly banning ‘underboobs’ but allowing cleavage.
“For those who present as women, we ask that you cover your nipples. We do not permit exposed underbust. Cleavage is unrestricted as long as these coverage requirements are met,” Twitch said.
“For all streamers, you must cover the area extending from your hips to the bottom of your pelvis and buttocks.”
The extra guidelines around females are most likely directed at the subgroup of Twitch users known as ‘boobie streamers’, who have been accused of wearing revealing clothing to attract viewers and subscribers.
While some have made moves to boycott such users, in some instances this has led to abuse.
And according to Motherboard staff writer Gita Jackson, the updated policies miss the big picture.
“These new changes don’t seem to address the actual issue of twitch‘s policies on nudity and attire, which is that people use them to harass women they don’t like,” she wrote.
