After streamer AverageHarry was permanently banned because his account was created when he was under 13, Twitch viewers have pointed out that other streamers in a similar position have not had the same consequences.
Twitch regularly faces scrutiny over their moderation decisions and bans on streamers, often leading to confusion over what the rules allow.
The DMCA drama from October left many major streamers removing their content channels for fear of a removal, and Twitch’s TOS policy change limiting the use of words like ‘simp’ left streamers for fear of breaking the rules unintentionally.
The 15-year-old streamer AverageHarry was denied a Twitch partnership earlier in January due to the fact that he made his account before the age of 1
for anyone wondering, that’s why the sick have a video tomorrow that talks about it all. I’m allowed to create another account, but I’ve just lost almost 90,000 followers https://t.co/B68SpBjZGF
– AverageHarry (READ PINNED) (@HarryButAverage) January 23, 2021
While it was already a pretty hard blow, things got worse when he was banned from perma on January 23rd. He clarified on Twitter that: “I am allowed to create another account, but I have just lost almost 90,000 followers.”
But now Twitch users are noticing some inconsistencies in Twitch’s decision to ban Harry, as popular streamers with millions of followers also made their account when they were under 13 – but have not had a ban.
One user pointed out that the very popular 16-year-old streamer TommyInnit had his account when he was only 11, but has not had the same issues in terms of partner status and bans. The user called it “gross hypocrisy” from Twitch.
Tommyinnit’s Twitch account was created when he was 11 years old. Gross hypocrisy from Twitch or what? from r / LivestreamFail
Another commenter pointed out that several Fortnite streamers are all in a similar position, with some of them likely starting their accounts when they were under 13 years old. Streamer ONSCREEN featured a list of streamers with millions of followers who all created accounts when they were under 13 – some as young as 10 years old.
No way Twitch will actually do this.
– Age when account is created
Bugha (3.8 million followers) – 12 years
Benjyfishy (2.8 million followers) – 10 years old
Mongraal (3.8 million followers) – 12 years
Fresh (3.9 million followers) – 10 years old
TommyInnit (3.3 million followers) – 11 years– ONSCREEN (@onscreenlol) January 23, 2021
If Twitch followed the ban on all streamers who made their account when they were under 13, even though they have since surpassed that age, it would definitely spell bad news for many large communities on the site.
However, it is also possible that there are conditions within Twitch TOS that account for these discrepancies, which means that some streamers are still allowed to keep their account according to the rules, even though they created their account before they were 13 year.
The reason for the 13-year age limit is linked to COPPA laws aimed at protecting young people online. In 2019, Google and YouTube had to pay a record $ 170 million to settle allegations of COPPA laws.
Harry revealed that he only signed up for Twitch two months before he turned 13, saying, “I spent 2 years and almost 2,000 hours streaming just to be taken away because I signed up 2 months early.”
actually broken man, i spent 2 years and almost 2000 hours streamed just to be taken away because i signed up 2 months early.
I will post a video tomorrow with my new account, id appreciate if you could all share
– AverageHarry (READ PINNED) (@HarryButAverage) January 23, 2021
Fans of Harry are now looking at Twitch for answers to the confusing situation.
AverageHarry creates a new Twitch account
As he was allowed, AverageHarry has now set up a new Twitch account and asked his fans to follow him there.
Hi Twitter, My account with 90,000 followers was permanently suspended last night due to a mistake I made 3 years ago
and I need your help (RT appreciated) https://t.co/XpECAgGo0X pic.twitter.com/hnKp06dGqC
– AverageHarry (READ PINNED) (@HarryButAverage) January 23, 2021
Within 24 hours of opening the account, he has already earned 3,700 followers and will soon be hitting five figures. But it’s a challenge to get back to its original 90,000.
