Black streamer banned for hot tub stream ‘twerking’ accuses Twitch of racism
ExoHydraX has accused Twitch of racism after the ban (ExoHydraX/Twitch)
Black streamer ExoHydraX has accused Twitch of racism following a stream in a hot tub, where she says she was accused of “twerking'”
The Twitch partner and professional Call of Duty player received a three-day ban on 9 May following a hot tub stream.
Hot tub streams have recently become a major debate within the Twitch community. The “Just Chatting” category on the platform often has streams of (predominantly female) streamers in hot tubs.
This is not against Twitch terms of service. Twitch’s Marcus “djWHEAT” Graham addressed the issue in a recent video, stating: “Our nudity and attire policy does allow bathing suits in an appropriate context and hot tubs do fall under that criteria.
“However what has not changed is the sexually suggestive and explicit content is not allowed under the guidelines, under the TOS, and Twitch will take action when that is reported to us.”
ExoHydraX’s stream was no different to many others. She can be seen in a hot tub wearing a bikini signing subscriber names on an inflatable dolphin.
https://twitter.com/ExoHydraX/status/1391203835847356423?s=20
Yet where this content has been allowed on Twitch from other streamers, ExoHydraX has received a ban.
In a now deleted tweet, that included a screenshot of the ban email from Twitch for “sexually suggestive conduct”, she expressed her disappointment:
“Good luck being black and being a streamer on twitch I do the exact same content that yt girl do but yet I get banned but they don’t? beyond disapointing [sic] THIS ISN’T OK.”
Her fans have since rallied behind her on Twitter, though others have criticised her stream.
Girl I was walking and swimming and they call it twerking like nah my 🍑 is just big anything I do looks like I'm throwing it in a circle even tho I'm not also ily2❤️
— Exohydrax 💖 (@ExoHydraX) May 10, 2021
In another tweet, she claims that Twitch have said she was “twerking” in the video: a type of dance that came out of the bounce music scene of New Orleans in the 1980s and sees dancers thrust out their buttocks while jerking their hips. She denies she was doing this – and says that she’s being discriminated against due to her figure.
Streamers have strong views on both sides of the “hot tub meta”. xQc described it as “pathetic”, while Valkyrae has defended hot tub streamers and Pokimane has stated she’ll be doing a hot tub stream for her birthday.
It’s clear from the ongoing debate that Twitch terms of service lack clear guidelines, and that their policies are not keeping up with the increasing variety of content on the platform.
For more gaming news, follow Gaymeo on Facebook. You can also email us with any news or tips on [email protected]
