Why lawsuits could be next step in Kick, Twitch viewbotting battles
Viewbotting is a significant issue that livestreaming platforms the likes of Kick and Twitch are facing every day, and it’s now being suggested that the next action against viewbots may come through the legal system in the form of lawsuits.
When viewers hear the term viewbotting, many think of streamers artificially inflating their numbers for clout and greater potential payouts. But that isn’t always the case, as viewbots can also be used negatively against content creators. Livestreaming platforms Kick and Twitch are both affected by viewbots, and while the fight against them continues through a variety of means, it has proven to be in some ways an uphill battle.
There is now chatter in the streaming community that these livestreaming platforms may be amping up the fight by targeting viewbots through the legal system, rather than just trying to route them out technically.
StableRonaldo claims Twitch is building RICO lawsuit against viewbotters
Twitch streamer Rani “StableRonaldo” Netz revealed that he had a chat with the streaming platform’s employees, who informed him that streamers who viewbot could soon face legal action including potential lawsuits.
Viewbotting isn’t a new issue, and platforms like Kick and Twitch have been facing it for years, but viewers and streamers have both continuously asked platforms to do more about fixing it. Twitch CEO Dan Clancy discussed the issue and stated that it was hard to get rid of the problem because actions taken could affect the streamers who are targeted by viewbotting instead of those who are actually abusing viewbots in amplify their reputations and earnings.
Image credit: StableRonaldo
Despite this, Twitch has been doing more to combat viewbotting, including implementing new updates to better catch offenders. Many in the streaming world have appreciated these efforts and have also speculated which streamers are viewbotting based on which have been most affected. A recent action by Twitch apparently dropped viewership for multiple popular streamers, including Zach “Asmongold” Hoyt and John “Tectone” Robertson.
Kick has also taken action against viewbotting, as CEO Eddie Craven revealed that hundreds of KPP content creators had been banned from the program for using viewbots. Those efforts have also been met with much appreciation, but users continue implore both livestreaming platforms to find more ways to ferret out and punish offenders.
How a RICO case against viewbotters could work
The Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) act is a US federal law designed to punish criminal groups involved in racketeering. The most likely usage of the law in the case of Twitch, Kick, or any streaming platform would be to target bot sellers. But streamers willingly involved in transactions with these merchants can also be held liable. Using bots can affect negatively affect a streaming platform financially, as Kick and Twitch may pay more than what’s deserved to streamers engaged in viewbotting.
The idea that Twitch specifically is gearing up pursue a RICO case against viewbotters remain unverified, but the platform has previously taken legal action against viewbotting services. In 2016, Twitch filed a lawsuit against multiple defendants, and the court ordered a bot maker to pay millions of dollars in damages to the platform.
It remains to be seen whether Twitch or Kick will pursue this or other legal recourse against streamers, viewbotting services, and other bad actors involved.
Featured image credit: Kick
Khizar Mundia has been playing video games for as long as he can recall. Things have come a long way since the many days he spent playing the original NES, though. He now covers a variety of competitive games and esports, as well as the world of streaming, ranging from Twitch to Kick. If it’s of interest to gamers, it’s of interest to Khizar.
View full profile