Some Twitch viewers appear to be logging streamers’ IP addresses.
Hate raids have targeted a number of marginalized streamers, resulting in their chat being flooded with racist, homophobic, and transphobic abuse, and among other things. While Twitch has stated that it will address the problem, it appears that things are only getting worse.
Twitch streamer RekItRaven, took to Twitter to point out that some of his followers are actually IP grabbers used to trigger raids.
All you’d have to do is get tricked into clicking a link with an IP grabber like Grabify, and your IP would be logged. It’s as easy as that. Reyven mentioned that they were being followed on Twitch by a specific profile, but luckily they had already read about the problem on Reddit. The account url that you’d click to check your profile is linked to an IP logging tool, according to the Reddit post. Once someone has your IP, they have a lot of power over it, including the ability to initiate hate raids. Reyven went on to share a list of usernames that have been linked to IP logging in the past, so that other steamers can ban them in advance.
Hate raids against marginalized streamers have become all too common. A number of them took to social media to urge Twitch to take action, with the hashtag #TwitchDoBetter becoming a trend. The streaming platforms were alerted to the situation and issued a statement. Twitch wrote in a series of tweets; “We’ve seen a lot of conversation about botting, hate raids, and other forms of harassment targeting marginalized creators. You expect us to do better, and we recognize that we must do more to address these issues.”
Many streamers, however, felt that this wasn’t enough. They took things a step further by launching a campaign called #ADayOffTwitch. On September 1st, all associated streamers will essentially go on strike and stop streaming on the platform. The movement has amassed a sizable following, with messages of support pouring in.
Another method of attacking streamers is to flood offline accounts’ chats with racial slurs, screenshot it, and report it to Twitch, where they will be banned. Streamers are responsible for the content on chat, even when they are offline, according to the platform’s terms of service. While offline, streamers are advised to limit their chat to emotes only.
Attacks on some streamers have also begun to put their lives in jeopardy. Someone tried to set fire to Amouranth’s house earlier this month, as we reported. Despite the fact that no one was injured and the fire was quickly extinguished. Authorities strongly suspect arson.
