Right now is an odd time to be a Twitch streamer. On the one hand, broadcasting content to the world has never been more popular, possibly due to the pandemic in which millions have found themselves isolating in their homes. On the other, the streaming platform is experiencing quite a backlash from recent controversies. With thousands of users boycotting Twitch on September 1 in protest over the site seemingly not doing enough in response to "hate raids," a solution is needed. Luckily, one is being implemented by Streamlabs.
In a recent post to its site, the Twitch streaming software has announced it will be implementing a new "safe mode" for users, which it believes will go a long way to "fostering a supportive environment" for streamers. The idea behind this new feature is that it will stem any malicious behavior or harassment, which many have recently been experiencing. It also says it will help to prevent spam content, something which anyone who has been involved in a broadcast knows all too well.
The way it works is, users will be able to activate safe mode, which will clear recent events, disable follower alerts, and clear additional things like raids, hosts etc. Combined with Cloudbot, the software's auto moderation tool, the new mode will be able to put the stream chat into followers-only mode, in which only users who follow a streamer's channel will be able to take part in chat. Along with OBS, it's one of the most popular streaming tools out there, and with Streamlabs now being available on Mac, this new safe mode is likely to be useful to a lot of content creators.
The recent Twitch hate raid fiasco has been a blight on streamers. Many in the LGBTQ+ community have found themselves the target of hateful comments, and while streamers themselves, and their moderators, can block users from their chat, many are turning to Twitch itself in the hope that the company can step forward and do something about it.
On top of hate raids some of the big Twitch names are beginning to leave the platform in favor of alternatives. With the likes of DrLupo signing a huge contract with YouTube, and Dr Disrespect suing the company over his being banned last year, it seems as though the site may be in a bit of trouble. The fact that Streamlabs has come along with a solution to the recent controversies, before Twitch itself introduces measures, could be a bad sign.
Source: Streamlabs