Twitch Gets Increasingly Granular With Censorship, Reiterates 'Underbust' Ban

Twitch Gets Increasingly Granular With Censorship, Reiterates 'Underbust' Ban

SAN FRANCISCO — Less than a month after an abortive attempt to relax its censorship of adult content, Twitch continues to be embroiled in increasingly specific attempts to define the precise degree to which its streamers may display their bodies.

On Wednesday, Twitch Chief Customer Trust Officer Angela Hession published a blogpost prohibiting implied nudity, effective immediately.

According to Hession, the update comes in response to a recent “meta” —short for “most effective tactic available” — in which streamers “use black censor bars or other items to block their bodies or clothing, or position the camera frame such that the viewer is led to believe that the streamer is fully or partially nude.”

In the post, Hession notes that although “most streamers have labeled this content appropriately with the Sexual Themes label and are wearing clothing behind the object or outside the camera frame, for many users, the thumbnails of this content can be disruptive to their experience on Twitch.”

Hession then goes on to elaborate on a variety of body parts and situations, often resulting in further ambiguities, which have already been mocked by several frustrated users on social media.

“For those areas of the body where coverage is required, the coverage must be fully opaque; sheer or partially see-through clothing does not constitute coverage,” she states, also reiterating that standing company policies do not permit streamers “to be fully or partially nude, including exposing genitals or buttocks,” “to imply or suggest that they are fully or partially nude, including, but not limited to, covering breasts or genitals with objects or censor bars” or “to show the visible outline of genitals, even when covered.”

For those who present as women, Twitch asks that they cover their nipples and “do not expose underbust.” Cleavage, on the other hand “is unrestricted as long as these coverage requirements are met and it is clear that the streamer is wearing clothing.” Streamers are also very specifically instructed to cover the area extending from their hips to the bottom of their pelvis and buttocks.

In 2021, the vagueness of Twitch’s “underbust” policy became fodder for a creator named Tweedraws, who posted a digital drawing on X.com — then Twitter — asking “WTH is ‘underboob’?”

“This also depends on where your nipples are,” they quipped.

A 180-Degree Change of Course

Twitch’s increasingly granular regulation of streamers’ bodies represents a 180-degree change of course since the company’s abortive effort three weeks ago to revise its rules to allow some “artistic” nudity.

At the time, Hession explained that the platform had “received consistent feedback” from streamers that its policies around sexual content were confusing and difficult to follow.

“We want streamers to feel confident they understand our rules and viewers to feel confident they will get the experience they expect,” Hession wrote when announcing the relaxation of the nudity policies.

But less than 48 hours later, twitch CEO Dan Clancy announced that the company had reinstated its ban on sexual content.

Clancy alleged via a company blog post that “much of the content” created under the briefly updated policy caused community concern.

“These are concerns we share,” Clancy stated. “Upon reflection, we have decided that we went too far with this change.”

Moving forward, he added, “depictions of real or fictional nudity won’t be allowed on Twitch, regardless of the medium.”

Popular dances, such as twerking, grinding and pole dancing, appear to still be allowed without a label.

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Anissa Kate, Jordan Starr Top AEBN for Q2 of 2025

AEBN has published its top-selling stars for the second quarter of 2025, with Anissa Kate landing atop the leaderboard for straight theaters and Jordan Starr heading up the gay rankings.

AEBN Reveals Eva Maxim as Top Trans Star for Q2 of 2025

AEBN has published its top trans stars list for the second quarter of 2025, with Eva Maxim landing atop the leaderboard.

France Reinstates Age Verification Rule for EU Sites

France’s highest court, the Council of State, on Tuesday reinstated age verification rules for EU-based sites under the country’s Security and Regulation of the Digital Space (SREN) law, ruling in favor of the French government and against Hammy Media.

Whisper Fans Joins Pineapple Support as Supporter-Level Sponsor

Whisper Fans has joined the ranks of over 70 adult businesses and organizations committing funds and resources to Pineapple Support.

Utherverse Launches 'Red Light Center' Virtual World

Virtual reality and metaverse technology company Utherverse has launched its new virtual world, RedLightCenter.io.

European Commission Approves AV Guidelines, Unveils Prototype App

The European Commission on Monday released its final, approved guidelines for protecting minors online under the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA) and made public a “white label” age verification app intended to help sites and platforms comply with age verification rules under the DSA.

New Membership Site 'Sluts Corner' Launches

R18 Entertainment has launched a new membership site, SlutsCorner.com.

Roxie Rae Relaunches Site Through XSiteAbility

Roxie Rae has relaunched her site through XSiteAbility.

Show More