Recently, Kick, a streaming platform similar to Twitch, announced significant changes to its content guidelines, eliciting a flurry of reactions from the streaming community.

The focal point of Kick’s revised guidelines revolves around the prohibition of certain content deemed inconsistent with the requirements stipulated by Google Play and Apple app stores. Specifically, Kick stated that it would no longer support streams that feature things like lingerie, underwear, and such.

These new guidelines sparked an array of mixed responses from streamers. One one hand, proponents of stricter content regulations, such as Twitter user Haugerr, voiced their support for Kick’s decision. Haugerr argues that the removal of streams featuring scantily clad individuals, often associated with “hot tub streams,” is a step in the right direction towards maintaining the platform’s integrity as a space primarily focused on gaming content rather than gratuitous displays of the human body.

Gotta disagree with this one. Removing hot tub streams and those type of streams are good. They just sit there so people can look at their body. That’s not a job. It’s a live action nude mag spread. Let Twitch go back to a gaming platform. https://t.co/U6xlmSh99j

— haugerr (@haugerr_) March 28, 2024

Skeptics like Ex papa mAc, a YouTube streamer, question the enforcement of these new guidelines. With the proliferation of content on the internet, ensuring consistent enforcement poses a considerable challenge for platforms like Kick. The efficacy of these measures remains to be seen, and the extent to which they will impact the streaming landscape remains uncertain.

Now the question is. Will it be enforced?

Are gaming platforms becoming/going to become gaming platforms again?? https://t.co/Rgn1oVHifR

— EX papa mAc (@easymAc10azr) March 28, 2024

DadModeGG, a gaming community, offers insight into the broader industry trends influencing Kick’s decision. They suggest that Kick’s content restrictions mirror similar adjustments made by other platforms, notably Twitch, in response to pressure from mainstream brands and the need to cultivate a more family-friendly environment. Indeed, the influence of major corporations like Google and Apple cannot be understated, as platforms strive to align themselves with the values and expectations of these tech giants to maintain their presence on their respective app stores.

Kick has followed suit after Twitch with content restriction changes due to main stream brands like Apple and Google forcing a more family friendly environment.

Welcome to the world of forced moderation kick, it was only a matter of time… that will actually be a big hit to… pic.twitter.com/g2yQsGhvzH

— GLYTCH | Dad Mode Gaming (@DadModeGG) March 28, 2024

Kick’s decision to modify its content guidelines underscores the complex interplay between creative expression, platform moderation, and industry regulations. While some welcome these changes as a step towards fostering a more inclusive and gaming-centric environment, others remain skeptical of their implementation and efficacy.