Twitch changes sexual content guidelines after ‘topless meta’ goes viral
Twitch is changing its rules around sexual content after increased attention to the so-called topless meta.
Several streamers went viral in early December for streaming while being perceived as topless: With creative framing (like a low-cut tube top or nipple covers and a properly positioned camera) the streamers maintained the illusion of being naked while live on Twitch. One streamer and OnlyFans model, who goes by Morgpie online, was banned by Twitch after a topless stream — but the ban was for “off-screen [boob] clapping,” not for participating in the “topless meta,” she said.
Like the hot tub meta of 2021 and boobie streamers before that, people are, once again, angry at successful women on the internet. The virality around the incident, as it has been in the past, was ignited by the belief that women use their looks — and sex appeal — to gain an unfair advantage over other streamers. It’s a conversation (that often comes with harassment) women on the internet are familiar with, regardless of what they’re doing online. But when sexual content is involved, it often blows up.
The “topless meta,” a phrase established by the Twitch community for this particular trend, is not as widespread as it might seem, given the oversized response. At the time of writing, several streamers are “topless” on Twitch, but they account for just a fraction of the Just Chatting category. But Twitch was forced to respond this week by clarifying and adjusting its rules for sexual content on the platform. The company is also going further, dropping some restrictions on sexual content, but keeping it (and other labels, like gambling or drugs and alcohol) off the Twitch homepage.
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