Twitch will block those users who regularly share false information or ‘fake news’ through the platform, in order to protect other users from harmful content.

The company has updated its ‘spam’, scams and malicious conduct Policies section to restrict the circulation of this type of news, which “could cause significant damage if allowed on the service”, as mentioned in a statement.

Investigating the phenomenon

Twitch has announced that it has partnered with more than a dozen researchers and experts to understand and assess how misinformation spreads, as well as the profiles of the users behind it.

Together they have been able to identify different characteristics that these actors share and have determined that their online presence, whether on or off Twitch, fits three criteria.

What are the criteria?

First, they have determined that these types of users persistently share misinformation. Second, they have observed that they do so with widely refuted disinformation topics.

Third, Twitch and the team of experts have identified that these users are engaged in distributing harmful information, such as conspiracies that promote violence.

“We have selected these criteria because, taken together, they create the greatest risk of harm, including inciting harm in the real world,” the company said in this statement, assuring that it will only block users who meet these three criteria.

Conspiracy Theories

Specifically, it will focus on misinformation about health and conspiracy theories related to dangerous treatments or Covid-19, as well as disinformation promoted by conspiracy networks linked to violence, among other recurring themes.

In addition, Twitch has encouraged members of its community to report other users who endanger the rest, through an email. In this, they must indicate the name of the account and any evidence that supports that they are likely to be blocked.

On the other hand, the platform has announced that it will continue to take action on misinformation targeting specific communities under its Hateful Conduct and Harassment Policy and has stated that it will continue to adapt its security conditions as new trends and harmful behaviours emerge.