“;if(name.indexOf(“skinner”)>-1)html+=”;function render(){var el=document.getElementById(divid);if(el&&!el.querySelector(“.static_ad_banner”)){el.innerHTML=html;return false}return true}var delay=100;var stableHits=0;var elapsed=0;(function retry(){stableHits=render()?stableHits+1:0;elapsed+=delay;if(stableHits>=3||elapsed>=15e3)return;setTimeout(retry,delay);delay=Math.min(delay*2,2e3)})()}if(document.readyState===”loading”)document.addEventListener(“DOMContentLoaded”,init);else init()}else AdManager.getAdSlot(“web”,currentConfig.picker).then(adSlot=>{HeaderBiddingManager.registerAdSlot(adSlot,currentConfig.size,divid);if(typeof fn===”function”)fn(adSlot)})}}})()
8 min read
Pokimane has reignited the Atrioc deepfake controversy by revealing that seeing the Twitch streamer’s name and face still causes her anxiety. Nearly four years after the 2023 scandal, her comments have divided fans over forgiveness, accountability and whether Atrioc’s efforts to remove non-consensual images can ever undo the harm.
Imane Anys, popularly known as Pokimane, has reopened a difficult chapter in Twitch history after speaking about the anxiety she still experiences when she sees fellow streamer Atrioc. The controversy dates back to January 2023, when Brandon Ewing, known online as Atrioc, was caught viewing a website featuring non-consensual AI generated sexual images of female streamers.
Nearly four years later, Pokimane says the incident continues to affect her, despite efforts to remove the material. Her comments have triggered a resurfaced controversy about accountability, forgiveness and whether a public apology can ever undo the harm caused.
Who is Atrioc
? Meet the Twitch streamer behind the controversy
Atrioc is the online name of Brandon Ewing, an American streamer and YouTuber known for gaming, marketing commentary and his Marketing Monday videos. He previously worked in marketing roles at Twitch and NVIDIA before focusing on content creation. His streams have covered games such as Hitman, alongside discussions about business, advertising and the creator economy.
pokimane does not owe atrioc forgiveness nor does she need to justify her feelings regarding a situation in which SHE was violated and victimized by non-consensual sexual images of her. As a reminder, digital deepfakes of this kind are the most common, mostly target women and girls, and are classified as a form of digital tech- enabled sexual abuse. Just because the images and videos are “fake” does not mean that the harm isn’t real. “He apologized, he took accountability” great! Perhaps though in your endless well of charitably for the man who caused this harm, you can reserve some of that empathy for the women who were victimized by those damaging actions.
— Caroline (@carolinekwan) October 26, 2026
He was also associated with OFFBRAND, a creative agency co founded by prominent creators, including Ludwig Ahgren. For much of his career, Atrioc was known for his analytical content and connections across the Twitch community. However, his reputation changed dramatically in January 2023 after a livestream exposed a browser tab containing non-consensual deepfake pornography featuring female streamers.
What happened in Atrioc’s 2023 deepfake scandal?
The controversy erupted on 30 January 2023, when Atrioc accidentally revealed a website selling explicit AI generated images and videos during a livestream. The material used the faces of female creators, including Pokimane, QTCinderella and Maya Higa, to create sexual content without their consent. Atrioc acknowledged accessing the website and later issued an emotional apology, describing his actions as wrong and embarrassing.
hi everyone, i want to clarify some things about what i said on stream yesterday. 1) when he was first caught looking at paywalled, deepfake content of female streamers, it seems people forgot that the specific page shown on his stream was of me.i didn’t say much at the time because i was so uncomfortable, publicly humiliated, and i didn’t think it needed explaining because it was so obviously wrong.2) i appreciate that he spent thousands of dollars helping remove ai/df content (3000$ of which was offered to me specifically), but i’ve had to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars towards that same effort. regardless, no amount of money undoes what happened. 3) i’m not trying to cancel anyone or be the arbiter of who can do what. i’m simply sharing my feelings about something that publicly happened to me, and the ways in which it’s affecting me today. as he’s become more involved in events and with people close to me, i’ve grown particularly uncomfortable. as far as i know, no one has really checked in with the women affected about how it makes them feel. other people forgiving him is their choice, but it doesn’t mean i can’t share my perspective on it as well. one thing i’ve seen happen far too often is the rewriting of history, particularly as it pertains to issues like these, so i prefer to stand my ground so the narrative doesn’t get twisted. hope this clarifies things!
— pokimane (@pokimanelol) October 26, 2026
The incident triggered widespread criticism, particularly because some of the women depicted were part of the same creator community. QTCinderella spoke publicly about feeling violated and pursued legal efforts against websites hosting the material. Atrioc subsequently stepped back from streaming and worked towards helping affected creators remove the images.
In the months that followed, Atrioc helped fund legal takedown efforts. Fast Company reported in 2023 that he paid law firm Morrison Rothman $60,000 to support the removal of non-consensual deepfake content. He later returned to content creation, but the controversy remained an important part of his public history.
Why has Pokimane called out Atrioc again?
On 25 October 2026, Pokimane discussed the issue during a livestream, explaining that seeing Atrioc’s name or face still makes her uncomfortable. She said that even using blocked and muted terms does not always prevent his presence from appearing in her online spaces. “It just signals to my brain like, ‘You are not safe here.’ Like, ‘No one will protect you,'” she explained, describing the feeling as a fight or flight response. She also revealed that she had largely avoided discussing the incident publicly because of how uncomfortable and humiliating it felt.
Pokimane followed up with a detailed clarification on X the next day. She reminded people that the specific page shown during Atrioc’s livestream featured her, a detail she felt had been overlooked as the controversy faded from public discussion. She acknowledged his financial contribution towards removing deepfake material but pointed out that she had spent hundreds of thousands of dollars fighting the same problem. Her message was clear: “No amount of money undoes what happened.”
Pokimane admits she felt a way seeing Atrioc at Ludwig’s wedding around her close friends”There’s been a lot of cognitive dissonance seeing my friends be put in close proximity of him.. It makes me feel some type of way, I can’t lie.. Do they agree with me or do they not?” https://t.co/A2Anqi0b63
— bloom 𖧧 (@bloomjpg) October 26, 2026
Pokimane also said she was not trying to cancel Atrioc or decide whom other creators could associate with. Instead, she wanted to explain how his growing presence at events and around people close to her had affected her, adding that, as far as she knew, the women involved had rarely been asked how they felt about his return.
How did Atrioc respond to Pokimane’s comments?
Atrioc addressed the renewed controversy on stream on 27 October, saying he was not going to dispute Pokimane’s feelings. He acknowledged that what he did was wrong and said he wished it had never happened. He described the incident as having sent a “hurricane” through his life and spoke about spending the following years trying to rebuild trust. He also said he did not want the controversy used as ammunition in wider disputes between streamers.
Atrioc subsequently announced that he would withdraw from TwitchCon, where he had been scheduled to appear on a panel. He explained that he did not want his attendance to make anyone uncomfortable and preferred to avoid a situation in which their communities might overlap.
Atrioc responds to Pokimane after she expressed discomfort over him being invited to Ludwig and QT’s wedding despite the deepfake situation involving her”Those feelings are totally valid.. I’ve never disagreed with that.. I feel terrible, I can’t undo it.. I’m trying to use my actions to show that’s not who I am.””I don’t know what prompted this now, but it is a valid feeling whenever.. But, I don’t appreciate being used as a weapon to attack someone.. I do think those people should be allowed to invite me to something.”
— bloom 𖧧 (@bloomjpg) October 27, 2026
Fans react to Pokimane calling out Atrioc
Pokimane’s comments have drawn support from viewers who believe Atrioc’s apology does not mean she has to forgive him. One Reddit user wrote that “Pokimane does not owe Atrioc forgiveness”, pointing out that the images may have been fake but the humiliation was real. Another commenter argued that the women involved should not have to stay silent simply because the scandal happened in 2023. For them, Atrioc’s return to creator events does not change what happened or how Pokimane feels about it.
However, some viewers questioned whether Atrioc should continue facing criticism after apologising and contributing money towards removing the images. One commenter asked, “What is Atrioc supposed to do?” Others felt both sides deserved to be heard, with Atrioc’s efforts to make amends and Pokimane’s continued discomfort being separate issues. The strongest criticism of Pokimane came from viewers questioning the timing of her remarks. However, speculation about her motives remains unproven, and she has said she wanted to explain how the incident still affects her.
