Twitch makes AI training on streamers’ content opt-out by default, sparking backlash

Twitch will use creators’ livestreams to train generative AI models for Amazon unless they opt out, a policy change announced during a live stream with Twitch executives. The decision was framed as adding an opt-out setting rather than making the use opt-in, a distinction that drew immediate criticism from users.

During a live stream with nearly 3,000 viewers, Twitch Chief Product Officer Mike Minton said the company chose an opt-out approach because an opt-in system would likely result in few participants. “If this was opt-in, nobody would opt in,” Minton said. “That’s honestly the answer.”

Twitch Head of Community Mary Kish said the opt-out option reflects the company’s response to community feedback opposing the use of their content for AI training. The setting can be found in channel settings under the security and privacy tab, where users can toggle off “training for generative AI.”

The announcement and rollout sparked confusion and backlash among streamers, some of whom asked whether their existing content had already been used for AI training. Minton responded that he did not know what Amazon had already used for model training, indicating that Twitch does not have visibility into Amazon’s internal AI training processes.

Kish compared Twitch’s approach to Meta’s use of public content from Facebook and Instagram to train AI models, noting that public creators on those platforms have limited options to opt out unless they live in the U.K. or switch to private accounts.