Twitch plans to launch a new tool in the coming weeks to combat unwanted viewers. This tool will complement the existing chat locking tools.
In the latest issue of Patch Notes, a monthly company publication about Twitch’s products, the company announced that channel owners will be able to block users who have been previously blocked or banned from viewing streams. When moderators or streamers activate this function, blocked users will not only be excluded from the chat, but also from the real-time live broadcasts.
The new anti-harassment tool will be integrated into Twitch’s existing blocking tools. Blocked users will automatically be suspended from viewing streams.
“Over the years, we have received feedback from many people who wanted the bans on their channels to be more effective,” said Trevor Fisher, Twitch’s Product Senior Product Manager.
This new option will only apply to users who have been blocked or banned and are included in the system. Currently, Twitch does not have IP blocking or other methods of tracking users who leave the system.
Furthermore, this function will not prevent unwanted viewers from watching streams, highlights, and clips. However, Twitch plans to add this capability in the future.
“This is something we will gradually roll out,” emphasized Fisher.