Twitch: From Adin Ross to IShowSpeed, 7 infamous permanent bans in streaming history
Twitch initially focused on video game streaming. However, it recently expanded its guidelines to include other content categories. Launched in June 2011, the platform faced some controversies upon introducing the new guidelines. However, it remains the most popular livestreaming website and actively takes measures to protect the integrity of the platform and support streamers.
In an effort to maintain the credibility of Twitch, the platform has permanently banned numerous streamers who violated its guidelines. Some of these streamers include Adin Ross and IShowSpeed.
Adin Ross
Ross, a controversial influencer known for frequently making provocative comments about other streamers, faced a permanent ban from Twitch, a platform where he was a prominent streamer with an audience of over 60,000 viewers. Twitch banned Ross for the eighth and final time on February 25. The reason behind his ban was attributed to his use of hateful slurs, symbols and unfiltered comments during his streams. Following the permanent ban on Twitch, Ross swiftly moved to Kick, where he currently holds an impressive following of over 500,000 followers, establishing himself as a leading streamer on Kick.
IShowSpeed
IShowSpeed, who has over 18 million subscribers on YouTube, was once a prominent Twitch streamer. However, his time on Twitch came to an end when he faced a permanent ban on December 15, 2021. This occurred after he appeared on Ross' e-dating livestream and made suggestive comments towards a female content creator. Twitch took action and banned him from the platform, citing the violation of their community guidelines as the reason for the ban. In an email, Twitch explained, “Sexual coercion or intimidation targeting another person with statements that are intended to coerce or intimidate them into performing a sexual act."
Phantoml0rd
In 2016, Phantoml0rd, a prominent figure in the Twitch community, faced a permanent ban from the platform as Twitch intensified its crackdown on 'Counter-Strike' skin gambling. Prior to the ban, he was widely recognized for his 'CS:GO' gambling content, which ultimately led to his downfall. The ban occurred after it was revealed that Phantoml0rd was the undisclosed owner of a gambling website he frequently promoted and played on. Twitch took action and issued a permanent ban in response to this breach of transparency and community guidelines.
Later, Phantoml0rd filed a lawsuit against Twitch, seeking damages for the consequences of his ban. In 2021, he secured victory in the lawsuit, although the amount awarded was far less than his initial claim. Instead of the $100M he initially sued for, he was granted $20,000 in damages.
Ice Poseidon
Ice Poseidon, a Twitch innovator, was widely recognized for popularizing IRL (In Real Life) streaming on the platform. His channel experienced a surge of viral moments, both positive and controversial, between 2016 and 2017. However, this surge in popularity also led to the development of a toxic community, which Poseidon openly acknowledged.
In 2017, Ice Poseidon was banned from Twitch following a swatting incident that occurred while he was on a plane. The ban came about after he shared the gate number he was flying from, and a viewer called in a bomb threat as a malicious prank. Consequently, the police had to respond, and Ice Poseidon was removed from the flight for safety reasons. Twitch took a strict stance on such safety risks and permanently banned him as a result of the incident.
Dr DisRespect
The most notorious Twitch ban involves Dr DisRespect, who was widely recognized as the self-proclaimed 'face of Twitch' and a highly successful streaming superstar. Just a few months before his ban, he had inked a substantial new contract with Twitch. In June 2020, he faced a permanent ban from the platform, leaving his fans and the public puzzled. Neither Twitch nor the streamer's team publicly disclosed the exact reason behind his ban, creating an air of mystery and sparking controversy surrounding the circumstances leading to his ban. Since the ban, Dr DisRespect has transitioned to streaming on YouTube, where he continues to enjoy significant popularity.
MethodJosh
In 2019, MethodJosh, a well-known 'World of Warcraft' streamer, was permanently banned from Twitch. The specific reasons for his ban were not disclosed by Twitch, as the platform often prioritizes user privacy when enforcing suspensions. However, in 2020, it came to light that MethodJosh faced serious allegations of inappropriate behavior, rape and sexual misconduct from several women.
zillionOP
Angel Hamilton aka zilianOP, a well-known 'World of Warcraft' streamer on Twitch, faced a shocking ban for a surprising reason. His disability garnered him a significant following, and he even received donations amounting to $20,000 to purchase an expensive wheelchair. However, during one of his streams, he was seen walking, leading to a major controversy and allegations of faking his disability. Consequently, Twitch permanently banned him from the platform.