Twitch and other video platforms must take new measures to protect users Eurogamer.net If you click on a link and make a purchase we may receive a small commission. Read our editorial policy. Twitch and other video platforms must take new measures to protect users Ofcom guidelines to protect users from harmful content. News by Ed Nightingale News reporter Updated on 6 Oct 2021 7 comments Video-sharing platforms such as Twitch will have to take further measures to protect users from harmful content, according to Ofcom. New regulations are intended to protect users from content relating to terrorism, child sex abuse and racism, with VSPs such as Twitch, TikTok, Snapchat and Vimeo expected to take "appropriate measures". Under-18s must also be protected from material which might impair their physical, mental or moral development. Watch on YouTube VSPs will be fined for any breach of guidelines, or suspended entirely for serious cases. The new requirements came into effect in November 2020. Ofcom has been developing a regulatory framework since. That includes: Having, and effectively implementing, terms and conditions for harmful material Having, and effectively implementing, flagging, reporting or rating mechanisms Applying appropriate age assurance and/or parental control measures to protect under-18s Establishing easy-to-use complaints processes Providing media literacy tools and information Ofcom research states that 70 percent of VSP users have seen something potentially harmful within the last three months, with a third of users experiencing directly hateful content. Ofcom will not be investigating individual videos, but promise a "rigorous but fair" approach to maintaining standards across VSPs. "Online videos play a huge role in our lives now, particularly for children," said chief executive Dame Melanie Dawes. "But many people see hateful, violent or inappropriate material while using them. "The platforms where these videos are shared now have a legal duty to take steps to protect their users." Become a Eurogamer subscriber and get your first month for £1 Get your first month for £1 (normally £3.99) when you buy a Standard Eurogamer subscription. Enjoy ad-free browsing, merch discounts, our monthly letter from the editor, and show your support with a supporter-exclusive comment flair! Support us View supporter archive More News Google announces cloud gaming Chromebooks less than a fortnight after Stadia shutdown GeForce Now preinstalled. 4 Atari will hold RollerCoaster Tycoon rights for another decade Ups and downs. 7 Lady Dimitrescu will be a tad smaller in Resident Evil Village's Mercenaries DLC Level the playing field. 1 Overwatch 2 suffers another DDoS attack and character roster bugs Mei Mei. 13 Latest Articles Digital Foundry Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090: a new level in graphics performance The Digital Foundry video review - and how the new GPU champion delivers for 4K 120fps gaming. Google announces cloud gaming Chromebooks less than a fortnight after Stadia shutdown GeForce Now preinstalled. 4 Feature Evercore Heroes wants to wind people up the right way "There's less rage at them, because they didn't end your fun." Genshin Impact Path of Gleaming Jade dates, login event rewards Including other anniversary rewards and how to claim them. Supporters Only Premium only Off Topic: Take a minute to appreciate Cookin' with Coolio's incredible scallops recipe. What a great book. Premium only Off Topic: Reading City of Glass in comic form "Where exactly am I going?" Premium only Off Topic: Il Buco is a transporting film about a really big hole Underlands. Off-Topic Netflix handled Sandman brilliantly It was Dreamy. 9 Buy things with globes on them And other lovely Eurogamer merch in our official store! Explore our store