Twitch Has Banned Knut

Highlights

• Twitch streamer Knut banned for alleged violations of community guidelines, showing platform’s strict enforcement.
• Knut’s ban seemingly stemmed from a video of him driving while engaging with Twitch chat, raising concerns.
• This isn’t the first Twitch ban for distracted driving while using streaming platforms, as ExtraEmily also faced discipline for a similar situation.

Twitch streamer Knut, boasting a significant following of over 277,000, has been banned from the platform due to alleged violations of Twitch’s community guidelines. As the leading streaming platform, Twitch is known for its rigorous enforcement of policies for all streamers. This is exemplified by the platform’s consistent application of consequences, including the suspension of prominent streamers, in instances where alignment with Twitch’s community guidelines is not maintained.

For those unfamiliar with him, Knut, whose full name is Knut Spildrejorde, is a Norwegian Twitch streamer and bodybuilder. On Twitch, he is known for his “Just Chatting” streams, occasionally delving into video games like COD Warzone, Apex Legends, World of Warcraft, and more. In 2022, Knut achieved a notable milestone in his streaming career by launching “Camp Knut,” a live-streamed fitness camp lasting a month. This unique event featured several renowned Twitch streamers, including Mizkif and Tectone, who aimed to improve their fitness levels. This initiative not only diversified Knut’s content but also contributed to an expanded audience for his streams and a noticeable increase in his follower count.

Why did Twitch ban Knut?

The ban that befell Knut stemmed from a video clip posted on social media. The footage showcased Knut driving while simultaneously engaging with Twitch chat, a practice that raised concerns about distracted driving. Questions emerged on platforms like X, questioning Twitch’s stance on such behavior and prompting the streaming giant to take action. This ban is not Knut’s first encounter with Twitch’s moderation actions. In fact, it marks his fifth suspension overall, with the previous ban occurring in December and lasting for a brief two days.

The duration of the current ban remains uncertain, and as of now, Knut has not provided any public commentary on the situation. It’s noteworthy that this is not Twitch’s first ban related to driving while interacting with chat; in October, popular streamer ExtraEmily faced a ban for using her phone while driving in a live stream.

While Knut’s ban seems to be temporary, the severity of using a phone while driving, especially in a livestreaming context, cannot be overstated. This issue extends beyond individual cases, exemplified by a distressing incident in February involving a Polish Twitch streamer who faced a permanent ban for allegedly running over a dog while streaming. This incident sparked a broader conversation about responsible content creation on streaming platforms, emphasizing the potential dangers associated with engaging in chat messages while operating a vehicle.