Twitch rolled out two new enforcement tools that split account suspensions into separate categories for streaming and chatting. The update marks a shift from the platform’s previous all-or-nothing approach to account restrictions.
A streaming suspension blocks users from going live but lets them continue watching streams and chatting in other channels. A chat suspension does the opposite—users can still broadcast their own content but cannot participate in chat anywhere else on the platform.
Under the old system, suspended accounts were typically locked out entirely, preventing users from accessing any features including streaming, chatting, or even logging in to view content.
The new suspension types allow Twitch to match penalties more precisely to specific violations. Someone who violates streaming guidelines can be blocked from broadcasting without losing their ability to watch and engage with the community. Similarly, users who break chat rules can be restricted from commenting sitewide while keeping their streaming privileges intact.
This separation also means suspended streamers can potentially keep their VODs and clips accessible during enforcement actions. That would allow them to review past broadcasts to understand what triggered the suspension—though Twitch has historically been criticized for not providing detailed explanations of violations.
The update raises questions about how revenue works during partial suspensions. If a chat-suspended user can still stream, it’s unclear whether subscriptions, ad revenue, and other monetization features remain active. Twitch has not publicly clarified these operational details.
The logic behind split bans
The community response has been mixed. Some users praised the change for reducing collateral damage from false positives or automated enforcement mistakes. Getting locked out of watching streams entirely felt excessive when the violation only related to broadcasting content.
Others questioned the internal logic. If someone’s behavior is severe enough for a sitewide chat ban, why should they still be allowed to broadcast to potentially thousands of viewers? The inverse raises similar concerns—if streaming content violates platform rules, does it make sense to let that person keep chatting everywhere else?
Gray areas also emerged around ban evasion rules. A streaming-suspended user could theoretically appear on other streams through Discord calls or collaboration tools. Whether that counts as getting around enforcement remains an open question.
