Twitch Introduces ‘Artistic Nudity’ Policy Following Morgpie’s Topless Ban

The recent emergence of the ‘topless meta’ on Twitch has sparked controversy and raised concerns about the platform’s updated sexual content policy. The trend involves streamers appearing topless on camera, prompting Twitch to reevaluate its content guidelines.

The controversy escalated when Twitch streamer Morgpie faced a ban for a topless stream. The incident led Twitch to introduce a revised sexual content policy that seemingly permits certain content that was previously prohibited.

We’ve gotten feedback that our policies around sexual content are unclear so we’ve drawn clearer boundaries between what is & isn’t permitted on Twitch.

We also recognize that not everyone wants to see certain content, so we’re updating our criteria for homepage recommendations. pic.twitter.com/rvZ4kFADR6

— Twitch (@Twitch) December 13, 2023

Morgpie’s ban, occurring just days before the policy update, fueled discussions about nudity and gender-specific rules on the platform. The ban also highlighted inconsistencies in the application of Twitch’s policies, as other streamers like Jessica Ly (asianbunnyx) produced similar content without facing repercussions.

Twitch’s new policy attempts to address these concerns but has faced criticism for its complexity and contradictions. While ‘fictionalized’ representations of nudity in drawings or animations are allowed in specific contexts, VTubers using augmented reality avatars must adhere to standard clothing rules. Real human nipples must be covered for female-presenting individuals, though cleavage remains unrestricted.

Interestingly, the policy fails to explicitly address the display of sideboobs, while underboobs remain off-limits.

Despite the criticism, Morgpie praised Twitch for the updated guidelines, emphasizing the platform’s effort to allow mature content while preventing it from being prominently featured on the homepage.

The ‘topless meta’ draws parallels to the controversial ‘Hot Tub meta’ initiated by streamer Amouranth in 2021, leading Twitch to create a dedicated category for ‘Pools, Hot Tubs & Beaches.’

While some creators applaud Twitch for adapting to the evolving landscape, there is a growing call from both streamers and viewers for the platform to reconsider and address the concerns raised by these trending metas.

The ongoing debate underscores the challenges platforms face in maintaining a balance between content freedom and community standards.