Twitch will soon add a new setting allowing streamers to block banned users from viewing their live broadcasts on the platform.
HUGE TWITCH UPDATE: When you block or ban someone, they’ll no longer be able to view your stream! pic.twitter.com/hS1LOLrbqF
— Lowco 🏖️ (@LowcoTV) August 16, 2023
Announced during its Patch Notes stream yesterday and spotted by Twitch partner Lowco, Twitch is rolling out the feature to everyone starting next month. The feature will be an optional tool in the settings called “Stopped banned users from viewing stream.” When the feature is enabled, blocked users will not be able to watch your content every time you live stream on Twitch. However, they will still have access to view VODs and Clips.
The feature will work instantly. So if you decide to ban someone mid-stream and the feature is enabled on your account, the stream will cut off for them immediately. Users previously blocked from your account will automatically be prevented from watching your stream.
Harassment on Twitch has been an ongoing issue, with the company making glacial strides in curbing harassment on its platform. In 2021, the Amazon-owned company updated a set of guidelines it planned to use to address hateful conduct and harassment aimed at community members and banned certain words that were being used in a derogatory context, to name a few.
Taylor is a Reporter at IGN. You can follow her on Twitter @TayNixster.