Twitch, the popular video game streaming platform owned by Amazon, has decided to dismiss all members of its Safety Advisory Council (SAC). The measure will take effect today, Friday, according to sources and documents obtained by CNBC. The SAC, made up of nine industry experts, streamers, and moderators, was created in May 2020 with the aim of improving trust and safety on the platform.
The advisory board advised Twitch on the drafting of new policies, product development, and security features, as well as in the protection of the interests of marginalized groups. For four years, the SAC addressed issues such as policies on nudity and “hate raids” targeting vulnerable groups.
On May 6th, council members were called to a meeting where they were informed that all current contracts would end on May 31st, 2024 and that they would not receive payment for the second semester of the year. Among the advisors were Dr. Sameer Hinduja, co-director of the Cyberbullying Research Center; Emma Llansó, former director of the Free Expression Project at the Center for Democracy and Technology; and Dr. T.L. Taylor, co-founder of AnyKey, which promotes diversity and inclusion in video games.
“Looking ahead, the Security Advisory Council will be primarily composed of individuals who act as Twitch ambassadors“, according to the email sent to council members. Twitch ambassadors are users chosen for their positive impact on the community. Payment for council members ranged between $10,000 and $20,000 for a 12-month period, according to a source familiar with the contracts.
The decision by Twitch comes in a context of cuts and layoffs in the technology sector, particularly affecting security and ethics teams. To make matters worse, these cuts come at a time when cyberbullying and the spread of misinformation are on the rise, with serious implications for the mental health of teenagers and the integrity of online information.
A year ago, Twitch laid off about 50 employees responsible for monitoring abusive or illegal behavior. The measure affected approximately 15% of the company’s trust and safety team. In response to CNBC’s inquiries, a Twitch spokesperson stated that the company has added “new board members to provide fresh and diverse perspectives.” Additionally, it was highlighted that over 180 streamers are part of Twitch’s ambassador program and that with the new format, they expect to attract even more voices and perspectives.
