So-called “hate raids” are increasingly becoming a problem on Twitch. However, there is hardly any protection against attacks from such bot armies and their hate messages. Therefore, some affected streamers have started a boycott action via the hashtag #ADayOffTwitch. What it’s all about can be found here on MeinMMO.
What are hate raids? The term “hate raid” refers to an action by trolls who attack the stream of a person they dislike with an army of bots. The bots then continuously blare hate messages and insults in the chat and spam everything.
The linked tweet (via Twitter) contains an excerpt of the hate messages that victims of hate raids are spammed with. But beware, the tweet contains vile racist tirades. So look at it only if you can handle such statements.
What is the Twitch walkout all about? As a protest against these hate raids and the lack of protective measures on the platform so far, three affected streamers named ShineyPen, Lucia Everblack, and RekItRaven (via Twitch) proposed a so-called “walkout” on Twitter under the hashtag #ADayOffTwitch.
Today, on September 1, 2021, as many content creators on Twitch as possible are supposed to pause their work and stream nothing. This is intended to financially impact Twitch and finally prompt them to take action against the rampant hate raids.
Twitch is taking its time and streamers are helping themselves
What is Twitch doing against hate raids? Twitch is aware of the issue but has yet to take significant action. They are reportedly planning protective measures against such hate raid attacks, which they do not want to disclose yet. The hate raiders should, of course, not be forewarned.
How is Twitch responding to the Day Off? The action is well received by the platform. According to streamer Lucia Everblack, the action has made it possible to discuss the topic with Twitch on equal footing and finally advance measures.
As another concession from Twitch, the event “Subtember” has been postponed to September 2, so that the streamers participating in the walkout can also benefit from this action. In Subtember, there is indeed a 20% discount on subscriptions, among other things.
How is the action #ADayOffTwitch received? The action of not streaming on September 1 has been received differently by streamers. While many small creators support the action, not everyone can participate.
Some streamers report contractual obligations that effectively force them to stream something on a specific day.
Others, according to The Verge (via TheVerge), simply cannot afford to do nothing for a day, as they rely on the income from Twitch and fear potential reprisals from Twitch. Participation in such protest actions might later hinder a possible lucrative Twitch partnership.
Other Twitch users argue that it is exactly the wrong action to withdraw from streaming for a day. After all, that would be precisely what the trolls want with the raids: that the streamers they dislike stop streaming.
Other streamers, such as the exceptionally successful Asmongold, consider the entire action to be nonsense. In a stream, he said:
“No one cares if you take a day off. No one knows you!”
Update 2.9, 18:55: We discussed the results of the strike day on Twitch in a new article:
Twitch: Small streamers protest, large streamers profit – #ADayOffTwitch
