Twitch streamer banned for “inappropriate attire” profile image of SZA
It’s not uncommon to see Twitch streams banned for content that is regarded more risqué, but the platform made headlines when it banned a streamer for using a profile photo of artist SZA.
Solána Imani Rowe, better known as SZA, is a well-known vocalist who has received many Grammy nominations as well as an Oscar nomination for best original song. An image of her, however, was judged “inappropriate” for use on Twitch.
Cavalry, a streamer, was banned on October 2nd for using a photo of SZA posing sans pants while carrying a glock and a Macbook.
Twitch explained in an email uploaded by Cavalry that the image was considered “inappropriate attire,” citing someone wearing a bikini while cooking as an example of “violative content.”
Some users responded to the restriction by finding it amusing that the gun in SZA’s hand was fine, but not having pants on was a major issue.
Others criticised the irony of allowing contentious hot tub shows on Twitch but images of SZA can result in a ban.
“There’s just no way man, this double standard is insane,” a Cavalry fan said.
“Gotta photoshop her some pants on,” another joked.
Cavalry was fortunate in that the prohibition was only for one day, so he was able to resume streaming fairly quickly, albeit using a photo from Neon Genesis Evangelion instead.
It only goes to show that even if a person is a famous musician, using a photo of them that may violate Twitch’s guidelines can result in a ban.