Twitch will terminate all members of its Safety Advisory Council, sources said.
The council, consisting of nine industry experts, streamers, and moderators, was established to consult on trust and safety issues.
It included those related to children, nudity, and banned users.
Formed in May 2020, the council aimed to enhance Twitch’s approach to trust and safety issues on the platform.
The council provided guidance on policy drafting, product development for improved safety and moderation, and protecting the interests of marginalized groups.
For four years, the council advised Twitch on various issues, including “hate raids” on marginalized groups and nudity policies.
On May 6, council members received an email notifying them that their existing contracts would conclude on May 31, 2024, and that they would not receive payment for the second half of 2024.
The email stated the Safety Advisory Council would primarily consist of people who serve as Twitch Ambassadors.
The council was composed of advisors.
These were:
- Dr. Sameer Hinduja, co-director of the Cyberbullying Research Center
- Dr. T.L. Taylor, co-founder and director of AnyKey, which advocates for diversity and inclusion in gaming.
Sources said these advisors were not Twitch employees but were paid between $10,000 and $20,000 per 12-month period, depending on the contract’s length.
Twitch’s decision to end the Safety Advisory Council’s contracts comes amid a year of cost-cutting and layoffs across the tech industry.
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These cuts have particularly affected safety and ethics teams, which some companies view as cost centers.
This move occurs during a time of increased cyberbullying, linked to higher rates of adolescent self-harm, and as the spread of misinformation and violent content collides with the rapid growth of AI.
The team was formed to consult over issues related to children, nudity, and banned users
Twitch laid off about 50 employees responsible for monitoring abusive, illegal, or harmful behavior a year ago, with the trust and safety team losing about 15 percent of its staff.
Despite this, Twitch continues to emphasize the importance of content moderation.
A Twitch spokesperson said the company has brought in “new council members to offer fresh, diverse perspectives” and noted that over 180 streamers are in its ambassador program.
The spokesperson added the new format would allow for the inclusion of even more voices and perspectives.
