In a bid to address the growing issue of harassment on the streaming platform, Twitch CEO Dan Clancy has unveiled plans for stricter penalties for offenders. The announcement comes as Twitch faces increasing competition from rivals like Kick and Rumble, with YouTube also emerging as a strong contender.

Clancy outlined the platform's plans for 2024 in a blog post, where he highlighted the evaluation of existing rules and policies used to combat harassment in 2023. As a result, Twitch will be implementing significant updates later this year to enhance its policing efforts and take more drastic action against perpetrators.

One aspect of the upcoming changes includes updates to the Community Guidelines, whereby clearer and updated harm definitions will be provided. Moreover, Twitch plans to impose more severe penalties for certain types of harassment, although specific details regarding these penalties were not disclosed at this time.

"We have a deep understanding of how harassment is experienced on our site, and this year we will be rolling out updates to make Twitch a safer and more enjoyable platform for our users," Clancy stated.

To aid in the fight against harassment, Twitch is also developing new tools to identify and prohibit harassment before it proliferates in users' chats. By implementing these changes, Twitch aims to foster a more inclusive and welcoming environment for its community.

The past has seen high-profile streamers face permanent bans for encouraging harassment. Notably, JiDion was permanently banned after orchestrating a "hate raid" against fellow streamer Pokimane in 2022, with his subsequent appeals being denied.

In addition to combatting harassment, Twitch's focus for 2024 extends to developing products, tools, and programs aimed at facilitating community growth, making streaming more rewarding and enjoyable for users.

As Twitch navigates the evolving landscape of the streaming industry, the platform's commitment to addressing and curbing harassment becomes increasingly vital. With the promise of harsher penalties and improved identification systems, Twitch is taking significant steps in its mission to create a safer and more inclusive online community for its users.