Twitch is once again under fire for what many see as biased enforcement of its rules, and this time, the controversy involves popular political streamer Hasan Piker. Just a day after being banned for making controversial comments about Senator Rick Scott, Hasan found himself back on the platform, sparking outrage among streamers and industry figures who claim Twitch plays favorites when it comes to banning decisions.
The incident that led to Hasan’s ban happened on March 3, during one of his live streams. While discussing Medicaid and Medicare fraud in the United States, Hasan made a remark that many found troubling. “If you cared about Medicare or Medicaid fraud, you would kill Rick Scott,” he said. The statement, even if intended as hyperbole, quickly got him into trouble. Twitch responded by issuing a temporary ban, which, to the surprise of many, lasted only one day.
After his return, Hasan acknowledged that his choice of words was inappropriate. He admitted that he should not have used the term “kill” in his criticism, but he also maintained that his statement was not meant to be taken literally. Despite this, many felt that Twitch’s response was far too lenient, especially given the platform’s history of much harsher punishments for other streamers.
Kick CEO Calls Out Twitch’s Double Standards
One of the loudest voices criticizing Twitch over Hasan’s quick return was Kick co-founder Bijan Tehrani. The CEO of Twitch’s rival platform was quick to point out that while Hasan was allowed back after just one day, other streamers have faced much longer bans for far less.
Tehrani specifically referenced Adin Ross, one of Twitch’s most famous former streamers, who remains permanently banned from the platform. “Meanwhile, Adin is banned two years and counting for ‘unmoderated chat,’” Tehrani said in a post reacting to Hasan’s unban.
Adin Ross was banned from Twitch in 2023 after showing his Kick chat on stream, which contained racist messages. The platform decided to issue an indefinite suspension, claiming that the content violated its community guidelines. While Twitch has never officially confirmed that Ross’s switch to Kick was a factor in the decision, many suspect that his move to the rival platform played a role.
Tehrani did not hold back in his criticism of Twitch CEO Dan Clancy, accusing him of picking and choosing which creators get punished. “Twitch cannot hide behind advertiser excuses anymore. Dan Clancy decides who stays and who goes. Creators on Twitch cannot have a voice unless it aligns with corporate interests,” he said.
He also emphasized that Kick takes a different approach. “On Kick, we will always support all creators regardless of politics or religion as long as they comply with the law.”
This is not the first time Tehrani has accused Twitch of unfair enforcement. In the past, he has claimed that Twitch bans certain streamers simply to benefit its own business interests. He has repeatedly suggested that Twitch deliberately removed Adin Ross to weaken Kick and send a message to other creators thinking of leaving.
Streamers Call Out Twitch’s Unban Policy
It was not just Kick’s leadership speaking out about Hasan’s swift return. Many popular streamers, including Twitch’s own high-profile names, voiced their frustration over what they see as inconsistencies in the platform’s ban policies.
Felix “xQc” Lengyel, one of Twitch’s biggest names, did not mince words when talking about the situation. “The way me and some others were treated in comparison is just comical,” he said. “What a joke.”
YouTuber DonutOperator was also stunned. “One day ban for a call to violence against a sitting US senator. F**king wild.”
Twitch streamer Tectone was equally critical. “A one-day ban for calling for the death of a senator is insane,” he said. “I’ve seen VTubers showing too much hips get banned for two weeks. Twitch is cooked.”
These comments reflect a growing frustration among streamers, many of whom feel that Twitch’s ban decisions are arbitrary. Some believe that certain streamers are protected by the platform, while others are punished harshly for even minor violations.
Twitch’s Influence Over the Industry
One of the most concerning points raised in this debate is how much influence Twitch holds over the streaming industry. Kick’s co-founder pointed out that being banned on Twitch is not just a problem for a creator’s presence on that platform; it can affect their entire career.
“Twitch streamers cannot have banned streamers like Adin on their channels or even react to their content,” Tehrani said. “Twitch has the power to suppress streamers across the entire web.”
This is a crucial point because Twitch does not just ban creators from its platform; it also enforces rules that prevent other streamers from associating with them. That means even if a banned creator has a large audience elsewhere, their reach can still be significantly limited because Twitch’s rules discourage others from collaborating with them.
However, Tehrani made it clear that he was not advocating for Hasan to receive a harsher punishment. Instead, he wants all streamers to be treated the same way. “I’m advocating for all streamers to be given the same benefit of the doubt as Hasan, regardless of their beliefs,” he stated.
Hasan’s Controversial Past
This is not the first time Hasan Piker has been involved in a Twitch controversy. His streams frequently focus on political topics, and he has made statements in the past that have led to backlash.
In 2024, Hasan faced renewed calls for a ban after he showed a video about the Houthi Movement to fellow Twitch streamer Nmp. The group is designated as a terrorist organization by the US State Department, and some believed showing the video violated Twitch’s policies.
At the time, Hasan revealed that Twitch had issued him a warning but did not ban him. That decision, like his recent unban, sparked debate over how Twitch decides to enforce its rules.
The Future of Twitch’s Ban System
The controversy surrounding Hasan’s unban raises bigger questions about Twitch’s approach to moderation. Is Twitch being fair, or is it selectively enforcing rules based on who the streamer is?
Some believe the platform prioritizes its most profitable creators, giving them lighter punishments to keep them streaming. Others argue that Twitch simply does not have a clear and consistent system for determining bans.
Regardless of the reason, this situation has once again highlighted a growing dissatisfaction with Twitch’s policies. Streamers, competitors, and even fans are questioning whether the platform truly enforces its rules fairly.
For now, Hasan Piker is back on Twitch, and the controversy surrounding his unban continues to spark debate. Whether this incident will lead to any meaningful changes in Twitch’s approach remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: many people are watching, and they are not happy with what they see.