Some banned Twitch streamers can now apply for reinstatement

polygon.com:

Twitch updated its rules for when streamers who have violated Community Guidelines can appeal, with a way for even perma-banned streamers to get reinstated on the platform. On Oct. 31, the livestreaming platform published an update and shared it via the official Twitch Support account on X (formerly known as Twitter), saying that the appeals process “shouldn’t be a mystery.”

Per these rules, there are two appeal types: Basically one for folks who want to dispute a Community Guideline violation, and one for folks who have served at least six months of suspension time and want to be reinstated. (Copyright and DMCA takedowns are handled separately.)

Twitch users who believe they haven’t violated Community Guidelines or that it was enforced “against your account incorrectly” can appeal, “regardless of the nature of the violation.” Twitch has historically had an appeals process, and these updated guidelines aim to clarify the process for streamers.

The major update is that banned streamers can apply to come back to the platform: Those who have been indefinitely suspended, who have served it for six months, can “submit a request for reinstatement.” Appeals can be submitted through a portal, and are reviewed by Twitch’s Safety Operations team. That said, perma-banned streamers who have been suspended for “high-severity harms” which Twitch lists as “those involving violence, threats, and other serious and/or illegal activity” can’t apply for reinstatement.

Twitch has struggled with moderation and harassment issues in the past few years, releasing features and tools to combat hate raids. And while the livestreaming platform has also banned a number of prominent streamers — notably Dr. Disrespect in 2020 — Twitch has