Though Twitch has refused to ban hot tub streamers amidst the ongoing controversy and instead suggestsusing the “Not Interested” button, one black hot tub streamer, ExoHydraX, was recently banned from the platform due to her most recent stream while many other content creators continue to use the hot tub loophole to their advantage.
Thehot tub metamight be Twitch’s biggest controversy of 2021, especially thanks to situations such as this one. Back in 2019, Twitch changed its Terms of Service to allow swimwear in the appropriate settings, such as at the beach or in a hot tub. Then, some content creators began using this change as a loophole, using hot tub streams as an effective way to rake in cash. But, as many have pointed out, this highlights Twitch’s ambiguous rules and users are demanding that the platform take a stance on the meta: is sexually explicit content allowed, or isn’t it?
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In ExoHydraX’s case, it isn’t, but she and many of her fans are wondering what makes her streams different than other hot tub streams. While creators such as Amouranth have risen the ranks ofTwitchpopularity thanks to the hot tub meta, others like Exo have been punished on the platform. Though Exo’s content is clearly meant to be suggestive, it’s seemingly no different than other streams in the same category. However, other women of color hosting hot tub streams have been banned;Kiaraakitty was bannedin the middle of her hot tub stream, but that was due to a revealing wardrobe malfunction.
Exo’s case shows yet another double standard in Twitch’s rules. As popular streamerPokimane put it, Twitch needs to address the situation by drawing a line between what is considered sexually explicit content and what isn’t. While many feel that it “doesn’t belong on Twitch,” others, such as YouTuber Valkyrae, have no problem with it so long as it’s not hurting anyone. But Twitch’s blurred lines can come at the expense of streamers like Exo.
While some say the professionalCall of Dutygamer “deserved” the ban, others are calling Twitch racist for not also banning other hot tub streamers for the same reason. Some Twitter commenters point out that it could be due to Twitch’s specific terms of service, such as the stream focusing on certain parts of her body. The problem, some say, isn’t that Exo was banned but rather that Twitch refuses to ban or take a stance on all hot tub streamers.
