Twitch Introduces Opt-Out Option for AI Training
Twitch, the popular video game streaming platform, has rolled out a new feature that allows users to opt out of having their channel content used to train generative AI models. It’s been over two years since the company first acknowledged this practice publicly.
Twitch announced the opt-out option on Wednesday through an update on its support page. The platform, owned by Amazon since 2014, recognized that user-generated content could be used for training what Amazon refers to as its “generated AI content model,” unless users take steps to opt out.
The support page details the kinds of content affected by this policy. If users don’t opt out, they consent to the use of their “streams, VODs, clips, stream chat, photos, and text on their channels” for training purposes. This content might be utilized to develop models aimed at generating or synthesizing text, audio, images, or video.
How to Opt Out
- Visit the Security section of your Twitch settings. You might need to sign in.
- Scroll down to the Training Generative AI section and turn off the feature.
- Go back to confirm your changes in the Security settings; your screen should reflect the adjustments made.
Twitch’s support page elaborates on what allowing training means: “Allowing training indicates that your content could contribute to enhancing future Gen AI models…” The goal is to improve features like audio transcriptions and captions on Twitch, and possibly across other Amazon services as well.
However, Twitch’s CEO, Dan Clancy, has faced criticism for not informing users about this feature through the platform itself. The new opt-out option arrives after widespread awareness of Amazon’s use of Twitch content for AI training. Users have been automatically enrolled in this program for about two years. In a 2024 event, Mike Minton, then Twitch’s chief monetization officer, confirmed that Amazon was indeed using Twitch for AI training.
The mechanism behind this new feature raises some questions about its effectiveness. As registration is automatic, users who don’t check their security settings will automatically remain enrolled in the training program. Many users may not be proactive in adjusting their account settings, which means this default option is likely to remain unchanged.
This situation may lead some users to reassess Amazon’s stance on user-generated content. Although a formal opt-out option is now available, it doesn’t encompass any content that was already used for training before this feature was introduced.
