Twitch has added a mandatory content label for all streamers to allow viewers to make "informed choices" and to detail what actions they would like to see labeled in the future. This label replaces the existing "Mature Content" toggle, which can be applied or removed at any point during the broadcast.

The "Content Classification Label" is as follows:

Twitch warns that if streamers do not correctly label their content, the label will be applied by Twitch and they will receive a warning. If the streamer persists after repeated warnings, the account may be locked for "days to weeks" depending on the circumstances. Interestingly, if a streamer is playing a game rated by the ESRB as for mature audiences, the stream will automatically have the "mature audience" content label applied to it.

Then there is an interesting FAQ, where Twitch tackles some big questions, such as whether streamers who sometimes swear need to have their streams labeled for "serious profanity or vulgarity". This is very ambiguous: Twitch says "no," but that a label is required if someone "abuses someone in the game lobby." However, "occasional use of the 'F-word' or pure reaction to a horror game moment" would be fine. Has the person who wrote this ever seen "pure reaction"?

There are other strangely specific lines in the sand that are drawn, most of which are about to be trampled and tarnished as the streamer tests the guidelines. For example, regarding "drugs, intoxication, and excessive tobacco use," sipping alcoholic beverages is fine and does not need to be labeled, but streaming that appears "visibly intoxicated" or focused on drinking needs to be labeled. Smoking does not need to be labeled, but if it is noted that one is smoking, it does. Marijuana addicts must be labeled as such: "Marijuana use in any form requires a label."

This becomes most amusing when it comes to "sexual themes." This is because one of Twitch's biggest historical problems is where to draw the line on adult content. While the U.S. Supreme Court may not be able to define what draws the line with pornography, Twitch is trying to do just that, and it has found that "non-educational discussions" on sexual topics, as well as conduct that is "very likely to provoke mature chat conversations" and "to other individuals or objects prolonged or repeated kissing" need labels as well

In other words, this is as clear as mud. Then things turn to hot tubs:

"Many ASMR practices focus on mindfulness and are not sexual in nature, but we believe that kissing and microphone licking fall under sexual themes. Additionally, many of the hot tub streams are intended to draw attention to body parts such as the buttocks, groin, and breasts and should be labeled."

The last label is a gamble that Twitch is increasingly focusing on. One of the world's largest streamers, xQc, is particularly known for its gambling habits, and Kick, an emerging gambling-friendly streaming competitor, just signed xQc for a whopping $100 million over two years. The streaming platform's young audience raises significant ethical questions about the platform's hosting of gambling streams and promoting their activities.

In any case, we will likely see more of these content labels. The label is now publicly available, and Twitch will now apply the warning, but has stated that streamers will not "occur" (become subject to more severe punishment) until after July 20, 2023.