After the two Twitch streamers were banned for three days for performing ear-licking ASMR on the platform, the short ban on Amouranth and Indiefoxx has now ended. The bans have caught the attention of users as well as top Twitch streamers, and many are wondering what will happen next.
The ASMR controversy on Twitch comes following the hot tub meta that occurred during April and May of this year. Hot tub streams were largely made popular by Indiefoxx and Amouranth, who soared past Pokimane for top female streamer on the site due to the controversial content. But after Twitch launched the Pools, Hot Tubs, and Beaches category, a new meta began, this time taking over the ASMR category. Again led by Indiefoxx and Amouranth, it often consists of ear-licking ain sexual poses in return for subs, but the two female content creators often do it in yoga pants, sprawled out on a bed, resulting in a three-day ban for both of them.
While neither Indiefoxx and Amouranth were the first to perform ear-licking ASMR streams, they have each been banned on Twitch multiple times for infringing upon its rules on sexual content. Though many others are currently using the ASMR category to promote their own sexualized ASMR, the key reason for Amouranth and Indiefoxx's bans seems to be that they did it with their butts as the main focus, a direct violation listed in Twitch's Terms of Service.
It's unclear if the two streamers will make any changes to their content going forward. World of Warcraft streamer Asmongold was one of the many top content creators to comment on their situation, claiming that they were only given a slap on the wrist. He believes Twitch won't take further action or permanently ban them, possibly because the platform benefits from the ad revenue. Both Indiefoxx and Amouranth have already started streaming on Twitch again, making jokes about the new meta.
Twitch is, once again, silent on the situation aside from the short bans. As Pokimane explained, Twitch is avoiding addressing the root cause of the streams, which she claims to be its ambiguous guidelines. The Amazon-owned platform has declined comments from multiple news outlets looking for clarification and instead sends its blogpost on hot tub streams, which states that it will not reprimand female streamers for others finding their bodies attractive.
Though many were happy to see Twitch take action against streamers violating its Terms of Service, it doesn't look like the platform will take more drastic action against the ASMR yogas streamers anytime soon.