Twitch targets butt streams with new rule banning 'content that focuses on intimate body parts for a prolonged period of time'

An image of Morgpie, a Twitch streamer, playing games via a green screen of her butt. There's not really a way I can paint a picture for you that isn't weird, so that's all you're getting.

(Image credit: Morgpie on Twitch.)

It's best if you imagine Twitch's latest rules update being read by a downtrodden, barely present spokesperson.

"Content on Twitch is always evolving," they mutter, unable to recall how many versions of that statement they've composed before. "And we want to make sure our rules work as intended and keep up with emerging behaviors."

The behavior that emerged this time is streaming games on butts. That is, using one's posterior like a green screen, overlaying a gameplay feed on it. (Or just pointing a camera at your butt.)

If streaming Fortnite on your butt or watching other people stream Fortnite on their butts is something you enjoy, you'd better get your butt streaming in soon, because this is one emergent behavior Twitch isn't going to let continue. On Friday, "content that focuses on intimate body parts for a prolonged period of time will not be allowed," the site announced.

Twitch has updated its sexual content guidelines with the new rule.

As Harvey outlined in his report from last week, writing and enforcing fair and equitable rules related to sexual content, including defining what isn't and isn't "sexual," has been one of Twitch's biggest struggles, in part because creative streamers will try anything it doesn't explicitly ban.

One of the great innovations occurred when Twitch said that streamers could only wear swimsuits if they were in a swimming-related setting, which prompted streamers to start addressing their audiences from inflatable pools. Twitch ultimately added an official "Pools, Hot Tubs, and Beaches" category. In this instance, it has not opted to add a Butts category.

@TwitchSupport Our Community Guidelines are designed to help make Twitch a welcoming place. Content on Twitch is always evolving, and we want to make sure our rules work as intended and keep up with emerging behaviors. When needed, we make updates to our rules to capture those shifts in behavior, and so it's clear to the community what is allowed. — (Image credit: Twitch)

In anticipation of Friday's TOS change, butt streaming pioneer Morgpie is currently streaming with a camera positioned under a transparent chair. "I wish people would stop complaining about the ass and enjoy it until Friday," she said cheerfully in response to a complaint in chat.

As for what the new meta will be after Friday, she said she doesn't know. Whenever it arrives, we can be sure we'll hear once again that "content is always evolving."

Tyler grew up in Silicon Valley during the '80s and '90s, playing games like Zork and Arkanoid on early PCs. He was later captivated by Myst, SimCity, Civilization, Command & Conquer, all the shooters they call "boomer shooters" now, and PS1 classic Bushido Blade (that's right: he had Bleem!). Tyler joined PC Gamer in 2011, and today he's focused on the site's news coverage. His hobbies include amateur boxing and adding to his 1,200-plus hours in Rocket League.