Twitch Updates Banning System

With Twitch’s recent update, it changed the way its banning system works. Users who have been banned from a streamer’s chat will now be unfollowed from the channel as well. Twitch partner and streamer CommanderRoot, tested and confirmed the new feature.

CommanderRoot explained how this new ban and unfollow interaction works in more detail. A user is not prevented from re-following the channel after being banned, and can do so right away. Any user who has been blocked will be unable to follow the channel again. Viewers are not unfollowed by timeouts.

To force an unfollow from the channel, a streamer had to block banned audience members previously. This shift is most likely the result of the widespread harassment that prompted the #ADayOffTwitch protest and the subsequent implementation of extensive chat safety features. Since then, the streaming platform has attempted to implement a number of solutions to combat chat toxicity, including a two-step phone verification option for chatters.

Many people have expressed concern about the new chat feature and the possible consequences. Users may not be aware that they have been unfollowed, and the streamer’s overall follower count will be reduced as a result of a lighthearted or joking ban from either streamers or chat moderators.

Twitch has yet to publicly announce this new change to its banning system, despite the fact that it is already visible in chats across the platform. Regardless of the potential consequences of this change to the banning process, it’s yet another tool to protect streams from harassment.