A social media movement using the hashtag #TwitchBlackout has a variety of Twitch streamers pledging not to broadcast on the streaming platform today, June 24th, in protest of inaction on the part of the company following multiple allegations of sexual assault against community members.
As the New York Times reported, a number of people in the gaming and streaming industry began posting allegations of “gender-based discrimination, harassment and sexual assault” since Friday, and a lot of stories have been tied to the hashtag, further highlighting the need for real change.
Twitch did respond with a statement posted on their official Twitter page on June 22nd: “We take accusations of sexual harassment and misconduct extremely seriously,” Twitch said in the statement “We are actively looking into the accounts concerning streamers affiliated with Twitch and will work with law enforcement where applicable. We’re thankful for the bravery shown by those who have come forward to speak about their experiences, and we are committed to working to make the streaming community safer for everyone.”
Twitch has issued a statement about the movement, according to Polygon: “We support our streamers’ rights to express themselves and bring attention to important issues across our service. We know there is work to be done, and we’re listening to this feedback and working with urgency to make Twitch a safer place for everyone in the community.”
It will be on Twitch to act, and not just make statements. Take action against the Twitch Partners, streamers, channels, and Twitch Teams who are at the center of these allegations upon being confirmed.
