In some recently revealed documents, the US Secret Service stated that it is tracking Twitch users the same way it does other social media platforms. The fact that Twitch has grown so much within the last several years to be on the US Secret Service's radar should come as no surprise to most users.
Earlier this year, Twitch laid off over 400 employees as part of parent company Amazon's move to cut costs after the relaxation of COVID-19 protocols. However, some of Twitch's former staff condemned the recent layoffs, stating that it puts Twitch users at risk and raises concerns if users are mistakenly banned by Twitch's AI-assisted moderating tools, in addition to raising alarm over the Amazon-owned service's move to outsource some of the jobs that were cut. While outsourcing comes with its own set of issues, user risk is always present with regular use of the Internet. With the rise of social media as a haven for extremism, the Secret Service is taking notice.
The US Secret Service reportedly stated that keeping track of certain users on Twitch, as it does on Facebook and Twitter, is part of its efforts to combat extremism while adhering to federal laws. The service stated that it remained committed to its responsibility to protect the US government, and remains vigilant in monitoring social media and other open forms of communication, in accordance with all applicable laws. While Twitch streams have played host to controversies of late, or have been interrupted by gunshots, it's the growth of the website that has prompted the Secret Service to take note of Twitch. At the time of writing, no Twitch users have been publicly investigated or arrested by the Secret Service.
While the upstart service and Twitch rival Kick has seen its share of growth, it has not been without controversy of its own. From viewbotting to lackadaisical username policies, Kick has faced criticism despite marketing itself as an alternative to Twitch. Even so, Kick must ensure its safety protocols are up to the task. While Kick recently made changes to its policy to curtail sexual content and ensure compliance with the Apple App Store, it remains to be seen if and when Kick will eventually land on the Secret Service's radar.
The Secret Service's move to monitor streaming services comes as the US government continues a federal crackdown on TikTok usage within the country. Only time will tell what changes, if any, will come in light of these investigations.
Source: Dexerto