CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA: Thea Booysen is a YouTube content creator and Twitch streamer. She has currently gained the attention of many for being MrBeast's girlfriend. The streamer recently voiced criticism on Twitter regarding the way Twitch is handling its terms of service.
MrBeast has also attacked Twitch since the business announced its sponsored content policy. MrBeast joined the protesting streamers in criticizing the Amazon-owned platform for intentionally "handicapping" artists' profits by enforcing harsher standards for sponsored programming.
‘These guidelines are bad for you’
MrBeast called for Twitch to collaborate with creators instead of trying to reduce their earnings since the streamers form the base of the platform. He said, "Hey Twitch how about instead of handicapping what creators make you help them make more? Seems more logical."
Thea Booysen echoed the point in her reply to the official tweet by Twitch where they revoked the guidelines, where she said, “"These guidelines are bad for you-" Yes. We know. Yet you still pushed for it.”
Thea brought up an issue that many other Twitch users have also been pointing out. Twitch implemented its terms of service with full knowledge of its contents.
The ability of streamers to make money through brand sponsorships is impacted by these terms of service. Twitch modified the rules for banner ads and embedded commercials, changing how endorsements functioned. Both of these are typical methods used by streamers to support the businesses they collaborate with.
Twitch said in a statement that it believed these terms of service were detrimental to both streamers and viewers. The platform tweeted, "Yesterday, we released new Branded Content Guidelines that impacted your ability to work with sponsors to increase your income from streaming. These guidelines are bad for you and bad for Twitch, and we are removing them immediately." However, Thea and other Twitch streamers were left wondering: if the streaming service knew this, why would they introduce the new terms in the first place? In her tweet, Thea criticized the platform for these terms of service.
Twitch’s updated terms of service
Fans were furious when these terms of service were initially published. The vague language used in these rules gave plenty of leeway for abuse. It compelled the streaming service to revise and republish these terms of service.
In addition, several people disagreed with the dual nature of these rules. On the one hand, even in a limited way, alcohol endorsements are still allowed. On the other hand, any form of political endorsement was forbidden. Public discussions were also included in the broad definition of political content.