Twitch Disbands Safety Advisory Council in Favor of Streamers
Twitch is making significant changes to its approach to safety and trust on the platform. The company is disbanding its Safety Advisory Council, which previously included industry experts, and will replace it with Twitch Ambassadors. However, the specifics of this change, including who exactly will serve and whether they will be compensated, remain unclear.
A Shift in Strategy
Twitch's Safety Advisory Council, established in 2020, was composed of nine members, including industry experts, moderators, and streamers. These individuals provided guidance on trust and safety issues, such as handling nudity, banned users, and protecting children. The council included notable figures like Emma Llansó, director of the Free Expression Project, and Dr. Sameer Hinduja, co-director of the Cyberbullying Research Center. Despite their expertise, Twitch is moving in a new direction.
Why the Change?
According to an email obtained by CNBC, Twitch informed council members of the termination of their roles: "Looking ahead, the Safety Advisory Council will primarily be made up of individuals who serve as Twitch Ambassadors." The email also mentioned that the second payment for 2024 would not be issued to the former members. This decision follows a series of layoffs at Twitch, with over 500 employees let go earlier this year, adding to the more than 400 laid off in 2023. Twitch cited the need to streamline its organization, which was "still meaningfully larger than it needs to be."
New Faces, New Perspectives
Twitch aims to bring fresh, diverse perspectives to the council through its Ambassadors. In a statement to CNBC, Twitch expressed that the new council members would provide varied viewpoints, which could enhance the platform's approach to safety and community guidelines. However, it remains to be seen how these new members will operate and whether they will receive compensation for their work.
Potential Impacts on Safeguarding
The restructuring of the Safety Advisory Council raises questions about the future of safeguarding on Twitch. The platform has faced several controversies, including the rise of the hot tub meta and high-profile streamers like Pokimane expressing concerns about the increasing presence of toxic content. The hope is that the new council format will maintain or even improve the safety standards on Twitch.
In conclusion, while Twitch's decision to replace its Safety Advisory Council with streamers marks a significant shift, the success of this change will depend on the new members' ability to effectively address safety and trust issues on the platform. As these developments unfold, the community will be watching closely to see how Twitch navigates this transition.