Twitch’s Stance on Net Neutrality

We’re tremendously proud to be a place where thousands of creators are free to make the content they want to make. And we’re equally proud of the millions of viewers who make Twitch so vibrant and unique. Whatever your part, we’d like a moment of your time to talk about a threat to our collective community in the United States, the impending loss of net neutrality.

Net neutrality is the principle that forbids internet service providers (ISPs) from discriminating against data from a specific app, service, or platform. It’s a cornerstone of how the internet has always worked. However, current FCC leadership wants to do away net neutrality, and will vote on the issue this month.

Without net neutrality, ISPs can, for any reason, restrict or charge more for access to specific content, including Twitch.

The loss of net neutrality would be a buff to ISPs and a nerf to consumers. Its repeal could have a serious impact on our community, especially for our creators who do so much to make Twitch the unique place it is.

Here is what our CEO, Emmett Shear had to say:

​”Net neutrality has played an important role in the history of Twitch. Without it, we might not be here today, and our streamers might not be here tomorrow. Net neutrality prevents ISPs from abusing their position of power​, such as ​giving priority to specific sites, slowing down access to sites that refuse to pay for a fast lane, and ​arbitrarily ​blocking sites. Because our streamer community — many of which are small business owners — depend on their viewers having easy access to their channels and reliable quality of service, repealing net neutrality will erode the power of the internet to enable and create these types of jobs. This is why we are lending our voice to ​championing a free and open internet​.”

The FCC’s decision is not yet final. All around the country and across social media, people are taking action and speaking out against this potentially bleak future for the internet. We’d like to invite you to learn more by visiting the nonpartisan Countable.us. There you can read more about net neutrality and easily contact the FCC before the vote is held on December 14.

Thank you for your time.