In a big surge of attacks on LGBTQIA+ streamers on Twitch over hate raids

In a big surge of attacks on LGBTQIA+ streamers on Twitch, hate raids have returned – Twitch hate raids have resurfaced, this time targeting the platform’s LGBTQIA+ streamers in a wave of attacks. Twitch was chastised by its developers in August 2021, who urged a tougher response to the continued hate raid abuse. It immediately became the #TwitchDoBetter movement, which was followed by #ADayOffTwitch less than a month later.

In September 2021, Twitch announced phone verification, their first feature aimed at combating bot accounts used in hate raids. They’ve returned to the platform, this time with an emphasis on LGBTQIA+ producers – but this time, the streamers have already discovered the source. Here’s what we know thus far, as well as some suggestions for how to deal with it.

In a big surge of attacks on LGBTQIA+ streamers on Twitch, hate raids have returned

Twitch streamers began moving to Twitter on March 10 to discuss the hate campaign targeting creators who use the LGBTQIA+ tag. They allegedly blasted hostile words in another creator’s chat, attempted to spam similar messages in their Discord, and streamed the entire event on another site called CozyTV, according to ‘EarthtoBre.’

Blizzb3ar, a popular Twitch streamer, was also targeted by the harassment, getting a hate raid during a sponsored stream.

TWITCH STREAMERS: @thejustryan was hate raided by someone on a different platform called https://t.co/5NcW1hLOe6

They spammed hateful homophobic messages, tried to spam in the discord, and streamed Ryan's stream to his viewers while making fun of him. This is disgusting.

— EarthToBre (@EarthToBreLive) March 10, 2022

One of the many people who helped identify that the source of the harassment is a streamer named UX on the alternative streaming platform CozyTV is Twitter user ‘xProvexx.’

Today was shitty, for many reasons.

But I think being hate raided during a sponsored stream was the final nail in the coffin.

Sorry for ending stream early, but I am gonna put my mental first and log off.

I know yall understand. Seeya tomorrow <3

— blizz (but with rizz) (@blizzb3ar) March 11, 2022

https://twitter.com/provexx/status/1502343415962292224?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1502343415962292224%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dexerto.com%2Fentertainment%2Ftwitch-hate-raids-return-in-massive-wave-of-attacks-on-lgbtqia-streamers-1781574%2F

“There is an alt-right website called CozyTV that is streaming hate raids on Twitch,” they added. If they try to raid, have a plan in place – they’re now targeting women and LGBTQ+ creators.” Prove provided a list of users that producers can block on their channel to avoid harassment in their second tweet.

Nick Fuentes, the CEO of CozyTV, issued a statement on March 11, 2022, in response to targeted harassment on his feed. While laughing at those impacted, he described the Twitch developers’ panic as “wonderful.”

In a big surge of attacks on LGBTQIA+ streamers on Twitch, hate raids have returned

During the hate raids in August, the author of Sery Bot assisted in providing additional protection to vulnerable content creators.

He wrote a reply on Twitter shortly after receiving hundreds of tags on the latest wave of hate raids. Yes, I’m very aware of what happened today. Yes, my bot may help. It’s a deterrent, but these are not bot accounts. My bot isn’t perfect but any protection is good.”

I've had a lot of mentions and DMs today and I have not been able to respond to them all.

Yes I'm very aware of what happened today. Yes my bot may help. It's a deterrent, but these are not bot accounts. My bot isn't perfect but any protection is good.

— Sery (@SeryCodes) March 11, 2022

There is a list of resources for creators that may be useful in fending off the current wave of attacks, some of which come directly from Twitch: