Twitch Dissolves Safety Advisory Council, Shifts to Twitch Ambassadors
Twitch, the game-streaming platform owned by Amazon, has made the decision to disband its Safety Advisory Council, a group of industry experts and streamers who provided guidance on trust and safety issues such as child safety, nudity, and banned users. The council, formed in May 2020, aimed to enhance Twitch's safety policies and protect marginalized groups within the streaming community. However, on May 6, 2024, council members were notified that their contracts would be terminated on May 31, 2024, with no further payments. Notable figures like Dr. Sameer Hinduja and Emma Llansó were part of the council, which will now be succeeded by Twitch Ambassadors, community members recognized for their positive contributions. This change reflects broader cost-cutting measures seen in the tech industry, particularly in areas related to safety and ethics. It remains unknown whether the new Ambassadors will be compensated for their advisory roles.
Key Takeaways
- Twitch will terminate all members of its Safety Advisory Council on May 31, 2024.
- The council, established in 2020, provided guidance on trust and safety issues, including nudity and marginalized groups.
- Members of the council, who were not Twitch employees, included experts like Dr. Sameer Hinduja and Emma Llansó.
- The future council will primarily consist of Twitch Ambassadors, known for their positive impact within the community.
- Twitch's decision aligns with industry-wide cuts to safety and ethics teams amid the increasing challenges of cyberbullying and misinformation.
Analysis
Twitch's dissolution of its Safety Advisory Council, in the midst of broader cost-saving efforts within the tech industry, signifies a shift towards more economically-minded community governance. This move could have implications for trust and safety, particularly in the areas of child safety and marginalized groups, previously overseen by experts like Dr. Sameer Hinduja and Emma Llansó. The transition to Twitch Ambassadors, recognized for their community contributions, may streamline advisory roles but also risks diluting specialized expertise. While this change could initially result in cost savings, it carries the potential for increased vulnerability to cyberbullying and misinformation, thereby impacting user trust and the long-term integrity of the platform.
Did You Know?
- Twitch Safety Advisory Council: Established by Twitch in May 2020, this group comprised nine industry experts and streamers. Their main role was to advise Twitch on trust and safety issues, placing emphasis on protecting marginalized groups within the streaming community.
- Dr. Sameer Hinduja: A prominent figure on the Twitch Safety Advisory Council, Dr. Hinduja is a leading expert in cyberbullying, serving as a Professor at Florida Atlantic University's School of Criminology and Criminal Justice. He is also the Co-Director of the Cyberbullying Research Center, which provides resources and research on cyberbullying to educators, parents, and teens.
- Twitch Ambassadors: A new initiative replacing the Safety Advisory Council, Twitch Ambassadors are community members recognized for their positive contributions to the Twitch platform. Unlike the previous council, which consisted of external experts, Twitch Ambassadors are likely to be influential streamers or community leaders who embody the values and safety standards that Twitch aims to uphold.