Streaming platform Twitch tightened the rules regarding various insults. One of them was the word ‘Simp’. However, the ban led to Simp now being used much more frequently.
What rules are involved? On December 15, Twitch announced an adjustment of its current code of conduct. The changes aim to reduce hateful behavior and sexual harassment on the streaming platform. This affects both the language in the chat as well as in the streams themselves.
Twitch’s COO, Sara Clemens, cited some examples of words that are to be penalized. This includes the word ‘Simp’. However, the ban had the opposite effect.
This has now happened: After the news of the new regulations spread, the statistics site Stream Hatchet recorded a sharp increase in the use of the banned insult.
It was used over 140,000 times on December 16, the day after the announcement of the new rules. That’s nearly double compared to the previous 2 weeks. In the period from December 1 to 15, it was used on average 71,000 times per day.
It seems to be a reaction of defiance from the community, who are unhappy about the ban on insults in chat and streams. Even larger streamers like FaZe or Summ1tG have spoken out, stating that flame wars and teasing each other are part of streaming.
It is also possible that some “casual viewers” on Twitch do not even know the meaning of Simp, and the increased usage comes from others explaining the word to them. In any case, Twitch’s tightening of the rules has essentially had the opposite effect and multiplied the usage of the insult.
Will there be a flood of bans now?
The drastic increase in the usage of ‘Simp’ should, according to the new rules, also lead to more punishments. However, most people who are now using the word out of defiance probably have nothing to fear.
This is what Twitch says: In response to criticism from the community, Twitch issued a statement explaining the new regulation. It states:
We will specifically act against the use of the terms ‘Simp’, ‘Virgin’, and ‘Incel’ when they are used negatively to refer to another person’s sexual practices. Using the terms in isolation will not have consequences, but we will take action when they are used repeatedly in a harassing manner.
So if someone casually throws a context-free ‘Simp’ or ‘Virgin’ into the Twitch chat just for fun, according to the statement, it should have no consequences.
However, it is difficult to say where Twitch will draw the line between fun and a serious insult.
