Observed Signal · Aug 21, 2023 · Technical Release · Source: OnlineMarketing.de · Impact: 2/5 · Sentiment: Neutral
Twitch finally allows user bans in streams
Twitch has announced a new feature enabling streamers to ban users from live streams in addition to chats, with the rollout starting in September. The change means banned users are automatically excluded from both live streams and the chat. Initially, bans will not affect access to Clips or VODs, though a future update is planned to expand bans to those on-demand videos. Trevor Fisher, Twitch's Senior Product Manager, discussed the feature during a Patch Note Stream, and The Verge covered the development. The article notes a potential workaround: logged-out users may still be able to view streams. Twitch also encourages reporting accounts that target harassment and provides safety tips to prevent attacks. The report originates from OnlineMarketing.de and references coverage by The Verge.
Moderation feature update on a major live-streaming platform; not primarily advertising/monetization but relevant to platform safety and user experience.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- Twitch will enable streamers to ban banned users from live streams as well as chats, starting in September.
- When banned, a user will be automatically excluded from both live streams and chats.
- Initially, bans do not apply to Clips or VODs; a future update is planned to extend bans to those.
- Trevor Fisher, Twitch Senior Product Manager, discussed the feature on Patch Note Stream.
- The Verge notes a potential workaround where logged-out banned users can still watch streams.
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Related Market Signals & Shifts
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Twitch Revamps Suspension Policy for Streamers and Chatters
Twitch announced an overhaul of its suspension policy, replacing the previous all-or-nothing temporary ban with two targeted suspension types: streaming suspensions and chatting suspensions. Streaming suspensions prevent an account from going live and disable chat on the offender’s channel while still allowing the user to watch streams, chat elsewhere, access their dashboard, and retain visibility of existing clips and VODs. Chatting suspensions block participation in other channels’ chats but allow the user to stream and chat in their own channel. More severe violations can trigger both suspension types or an indefinite full ban. Temporary suspensions will continue to range from 24 hours to 30 days and escalate in length with repeated offenses. Twitch said it will introduce additional suspension types in future updates.
Windows 11 Search Upgrade, Copilot Gets File Access
Microsoft announced two upcoming updates for Windows 11: an enhanced search feature and expanded Copilot capabilities. The new search allows users to directly adjust settings like dark mode, take screenshots, and change volume from the search bar, with future ability to compose and send messages. Copilot's 'Hybrid Intelligence' feature, introduced at a Microsoft event, enables the AI to access local files and perform actions across the OS, such as finding, renaming, zipping documents, and attaching them to emails. Jacob Andreou, EVP of Copilot, demonstrated this in a tax return example. The rollout will be gradual, requiring user permission for file access. The search upgrade is expected later this year, with no exact date specified.
Musician sentenced for AI streaming fraud
A 54-year-old musician in the US has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for orchestrating a large-scale streaming fraud scheme. Using up to 10,000 bots, thousands of fake accounts, and thousands of AI-generated songs, he manipulated streaming platforms such as Apple Music, Amazon Music, and YouTube between 2017 and 2024. The fraudulent streams generated millions in royalty payments. At one point, his songs achieved 80.9 million streams in April, far surpassing Taylor Swift's 9.3 million. The court also ordered him to repay over $8 million. His defense argued that no musicians were directly harmed, but prosecutors countered that real artists and fans were deprived of royalties.
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