Buzz
Streamers who have faced targeting on Twitch can now breathe a sigh of relief as the platform has introduced a suite of new tools designed to combat hate raids and other forms of harassment. These highly anticipated features empower creators and moderators with enhanced chat control, enabling them to block users based on phone number and email verification status.
Twitch is also addressing ban evasion. Although users can verify up to five accounts with a single phone number, a site-wide ban on one account will result in all associated accounts being banned, significantly reducing the chances of ban-dodging. Similarly, channel-wide bans allow streamers and moderators to block all accounts tied to a specific phone number or email address simultaneously.
Step-by-Step Guide to Using Twitch’s New Security Features
These tools offer creators and moderators a versatile set of verification-based options to manage chat access. Below is a guide on how to configure them.
Activate the new tools: By default, these features are disabled. Here’s how to enable them.
Creators can find the new features under Dashboard > Settings > Moderation
Moderators can access them via Chat > “Manage Moderation Settings”
Select your restrictions: The new tools let you define access levels for chatters. Phone and email verification can be mandated for:
All accounts
First-time chatters
Accounts younger than 1 hour, 1 day, 2 days, 3 days, 1 week, 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months, or 6 months
Chatters who have followed for less than 10 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour, 6 hours, 1 day, 3 days, 1 week, 1 month, or 3 months
Configure exemptions: You can also exclude specific types of accounts from these new features. Exemptions can be applied to:
VIPs
Subscribers
Moderators
Review your other security settings: Twitch provides additional anti-harassment tools beyond these new features. Explore Twitch’s recommendations for tackling targeted attacks and harassment to ensure you’re taking all necessary steps to protect your chat from malicious users.
What users should know about Twitch’s new security tools
If you’re unable to access your favorite streamer’s chat, it might be due to their use of these new safety measures. Here’s how you can resolve the issue.
Verify your accounts: If your account lacks phone number verification, you’ll be prompted to link your mobile number when attempting to join a chat that mandates it. This verification is a one-time process and applies across the entire platform.
Prepare to lurk: Twitch accounts cannot be verified using landlines or VOIP services. If you don’t have a mobile number, you’ll be unable to participate in chats utilizing these new features (unless the streamer has exempted you). However, you can still watch streams without restrictions.
