Twitch removes all members of its security advisory board

Twitch recruited cyberbullying experts, web researchers, and community members in 2020 to form the Safety Advisory Council. The review committee was formed to help write new policies, develop products that improve safety and protect the interests of marginalized groups. NOW, CNBC reports that the streaming site has fired all board members. Twitch reportedly called the nine members to a meeting on May 6 to let them know that their existing contracts would end on May 31 and that they would not be paid for the second half of 2024.

Security Advisory Board members include Dr. Sameer Hinduja, co-director of the Cyber ​​Bullying Research Center, and Dr. TL Taylor, co-founder and director of AnyKey, an organization that advocates for inclusion and diversity in video games and sports. There is also Emma Llansó, director of the Free Expression project at the Center for Democracy and technology.

In an email sent to members, Twitch reportedly told them that going forward, “the Safety Advisory Board will be primarily comprised of individuals who serve as Twitch Ambassadors.” The Amazon subsidiary did not name any names, but it describes its ambassadors as people who “contribute positively to the Twitch community – from being role models for their community, to creating new genres of content, to inspiring stories that empower those around them.”

In a statement sent to The edgeElizabeth Busby, head of trust and safety communications at Twitch, said the new board members “will offer [the website] new and diverse perspectives” after working with the same core members for years. “We’re excited to work with our Global Twitch Ambassadors, who are all active on Twitch, familiar with our security work, and have a range of experiences to draw from,” added Busby.

It is unclear whether the ambassadors who replace current board members will be paid or if they are expected to help the company for free. In the latter case, this development could constitute a cost-cutting measure: outgoing members were paid between $10,000 and $20,000 per year, CNBC said. Last January, Twitch also laid off 35% of its workforce to “cut costs” and “build a more sustainable business.” In the same month, it also reduced the amount of money streamers earn from each Twitch Prime subscription they generate.

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