The new safety updates make the reporting and appeals procedure more transparent.
Twitch will gradually roll out improved reporting options over the coming few weeks, making it easier for streamers and viewers to report content. The new method includes a search option that allows users to locate the exact cause for their report, as well as a menu system for the different types of information that can be marked. The enhanced reporting tools will be available first on the web, with the mobile version following at a later date.
In a statement, the company says, “Community safety is vital for interacting on Twitch, and our Community Guidelines are the foundation for community safety that establish the standards for the site.”
Twitch adds, “Safety is at its best when we’re all working together, and we’re always building tools so we can more easily be partners and active participants in fostering a safe Twitch.”
Twitch is also introducing a new appeals platform, which will provide greater transparency into the appeals process in addition to improved reporting options. A streamer would submit an appeal to challenge a ban or suspension in the past, receive an automatic response acknowledging receipt, and then wait for a response that either approved or refused the appeal. The process was criticized by users for its slowness and apparent lack of explanation for why appeals were denied.
A Better Reporting Experience
Twitch will start rolling out an upgraded reporting method to Twitch users next week. We’ve created a tool with a simpler, more intuitive design based on your comments to let you file a report and get back to connecting with your community.
It comes with a new search option to help you locate the exact report reason you’re searching for, as well as customized menus depending on whether you’re reporting live material, VODs, or clips.
When filing a report, users will be asked to choose the most relevant report cause and to provide as much information and context as possible to help our staff process it promptly and effectively. Twitch recommends filing a report as soon as you see the illegal activity.
Next week, the new flow to the community will be rolled out and Twitch expects it to be finished in a few months. That sounds like a long time, but the reporting feature affects every single Twitch user on the planet, so Twitch is taking their time to make sure everything goes as smoothly as possible for the global community.
The revised flow will first be available solely to web users, with improvements arriving to mobile devices shortly after. If you don’t have quick access to the new flow, don’t panic; you can still report using the old method.
The New Appeals Portal
Meanwhile, we’ve launched a new appeals page that gives all Twitch users more transparency and control over the appeals process. This has been a frequently requested feature, particularly among creators.
When it comes to issuing enforcements, Twitch carefully evaluates the reports we receive, and we hold ourselves to a high standard. However, instances can be complex and nuanced, so context is important. We all make mistakes, which is why the appeals process is so crucial.
“We’ve heard that our existing system is slow and that it doesn’t give you enough information about your current appeal or previous appeals. This is especially crucial for creators who rely on streaming to support their communities.”
This all changes today with the debut of appeals.twitch.tv, our new appeals gateway. It includes some technical improvements that will speed up the evaluation of appeals by our professionals. It streamlines the procedure on your end by accomplishing two things:
- It allows users to see which enforcements are eligible for appeal.
- It displays the status and result of current and previous queries, accordingly.
Twitch has gradually improved its security and safety features since last summer’s epidemic of hate raids, which resulted in streamer boycotts and social media campaigns. Twitch introduced a phone verification setting in September, which allowed streamers to protect their discussions from hostile bot spam by allowing only verified phone numbers to engage in chat. Twitch’s continuing safety initiative has progressed with the addition of these additional reporting and appeals features.
