New York attorney general investigating Twitch, Discord over Buffalo attack

polygon.com:

New York Attorney General Letitia James announced Wednesday that her office will investigate several social media companies and online platforms in connection with the deadly attack in Buffalo over the weekend. Among these platforms are two frequently tied to gaming, Twitch and Discord, but the investigation will also target 4chan and 8chan, James said.

The attack that spurred these investigations occurred in Buffalo, New York on Saturday, when 18-year-old Payton Gendron opened fire in a crowded supermarket, killing 10 people and wounding three others. It was later discovered that Gendron had posted messages on various social media sites, including those that the attorney general now says her office is investigating, to state that his attack was racially motivated. Gendron, a white man, noted that he chose the area of the attack due to its concentration of Black residents.

Gendron also went live on Twitch to stream the attack, but the livestream and his channel were not taken down until after the attack. According to a statement to CNN from a Twitch spokesperson, the footage was removed within two minutes.

“The terror attack in Buffalo has once again revealed the depths and danger of the online forums that spread and promote hate,” Attorney General Letitia James said in her official announcement of the investigation. “The fact that an individual can post detailed plans to commit such an act of hate without consequence, and then stream it for the world to see is bone-chilling and unfathomable. As we continue to mourn and honor the lives that were stolen, we are taking serious action to investigate these companies for their roles in this attack. Time and time again, we have seen the real-world devastation that is borne of