The streamer mira is primarily active on Twitch in the categories Just Chatting, GTA and Hot Tub. That should be it for now, as the streamer was banned from the platform on December 19. Mira strongly disagreed with this. On Twitter, she railed against Twitch – claiming that the platform discriminates against women’s bodies.
What was that ban about? As announced on December 19 through the Twitter account “StreamerBans”, mira received her second ban this year. She had already been banned in March for unknown reasons – according to mira, because she is Russian and “born in the wrong country”.
Once again, mira did not share the notification from Twitch indicating which community guideline she allegedly violated. However, she explained that she was banned because her nipples were visible through the fabric of her dress.
According to Twitch’s relevant guidelines on “Nudity and Attire”, “those who present themselves as women must cover their nipples.” Transparent or partially see-through clothing does not count as covering the nipples (via twitch.tv).
It seems that mira is particularly bothered by this section and sharply criticizes Twitch.
Discontent due to differing guidelines for men and women
What does the streamer say? On Twitter, mira commented on her ban. She accused Twitch of reinforcing misogynistic systems and discriminating against women’s bodies. Especially the fact that the guidelines are specifically directed only at women annoys the streamer.
If it is allowed for men’s nipples to protrude from under their shirts, mira argued, then women should be allowed to do so as well. The streamer also explained that she should not be banned for “wearing socially appropriate clothing for comfort without underwear”.
23 hours after her post, mira’s ban was lifted. In total, the suspension lasted for 1 day, 5 minutes, and 48 seconds. Whether the tweet was responsible for lifting the ban is unknown.
Can streamers “tweet their way out” of a ban?
What happens next? The ban and its lifting sparked quite a buzz on Twitter. A post that summarized the whole story in 4 images received over 8,000 likes and more than 150 comments.
In the comments, there was plenty of discussion. Besides the question of whether the ban was justified, some users ponder whether the lifting was a direct result of mira’s criticism.
Then, the argument goes, that would set a dangerous precedent for “certain streamers” to simply “tweet their way out” of a ban, while others would have no choice but to serve their suspension (via Twitter).
In the meantime, mira is already back on Twitch. On Twitter, she joked that she just needs to quickly get some tape to cover her nipples for her stream (via Twitter).
Twitch has been criticized in the past for its ban policy. One reason is that the reasons for a ban are not always clearly communicated. Additionally, the platform is accused of not applying the guidelines equally to everyone – some being banned for disproportionately long periods for a violation, while others get off with a slap on the wrist.
Twitch bans streamer indefinitely, she is outraged: ‘I just played Ultimate Fishing.’
