Twitch has confirmed that content uploaded by streamers can be used to train Amazon’s generative AI models. The policycovers streams, stream chats, VODs, Clips, Highlights, and text and images on channels. However, creators must actively opt out if they do not want their content to be used for future training.
The move has drawn criticism from streamers, particularly because the setting is enabled by default. Twitch Support said on August 12 that creators could opt out of having their channel content used to train generative AI models across Amazon.
Twitch executives later addressed the backlash during a livestream. Mike Minton acknowledged that an opt-in system would likely see little participation. “If it’s opt-in, nobody would opt-in,” he said. Twitch’s head of community, Mary Kish, said, “We don’t expect you to be happy or excited about this. I don’t expect anyone to react to this favourably.” Kish added that opting out would prevent content from being used for future training.
However, thesetting does not cover every AI or machine-learning system used by Twitch. The platform will continue to use tools such as AutoMod and AI-supported features such as captions.
Streamers link decision to Amazon: Several Twitch streamers and VTubers have linked the AI training policy to Amazon’s control over Twitch. Game developer and Twitch streamer Pirate Software wrote that “this situation shows that Twitch is not in control of its own course moving forward and Amazon is.” He said harvesting data for generative AI training was not in Twitch’s interest and claimed Amazon was “forcing this action against their wishes”. Pirate Software also compared Twitch with Kick, saying Kick’s CEO had stated that the platform had no agreement with AI companies to use content for training.
Being pro or against AI doesn’t really matter here. This situation shows that Twitch is not in control of it’s own course moving forward and Amazon is.
Harvesting data for generative AI training isn’t in the best interest of Twitch because it damages the publics perception of… https://t.co/cDv4V0FRZu
— Pirate Software (@PirateSoftware) August 13, 2026
Meanwhile, EN VTuber Ky wrote: “I feel somewhat bad for Twitch cause I know Amazon basically forced this on them and they’re all in on AI.” Indie VTuber Shyphlosion also argued that Twitch made the setting opt-out because an opt-in system would attract little participation.
I feel somewhat bad for twitch cause I know Amazon basically forced this on them and they’re all in on ai but man fuck this choice https://t.co/XFSvxqDOqv
— Ky | EN Vtuber | (@kyberion_) August 13, 2026
Backlash from the community: Twitch streamers and VTubers have also criticised Twitch over the default setting, with some discussing leaving the platform. VTuber Shinnya said they wanted time “to reflect on where to migrate from Twitch” because they did not agree with the policy. VTuber and creator Millie The Kaiju called for VTuber artists to consider legal action against Amazon over what she described as copyright infringement.
I firmly believe any and every VTuber artist should start a class action lawsuit against Amazon for copyright infringement.
larger VTubers you should absolutely back them up as well.
enabling an AI scraping setting by default on twitch because you know nobody wants it.
— Millie The Kaiju (@KaijuMillie) August 13, 2026
Shinnya also said their stream was cancelled while they took time to consider their options. Meanwhile, VTuber Nanosnaker questioned whether Twitch had already been using streamer content for AI training before publicly introducing the opt-out setting.
Stream is cancelled tonight. Health is not on my side today. Also on top of that i would like some time to reflect on where to migrate from Twitch because i do not agree to that forced AI Bullshit.
— Shinnya🐾🔮-Esoteric Researcher Vtuber- (@ShinnyaVT) August 15, 2026
here’s what I think about Twitch and opt in for AI training shit… someone at twitch found out that amazon was already using streamer content to train AI and said “I’m gonna tell everyone” then amazon called in damage control and behold… your channel starts as opt in 😌
— Nanosnaker 🏴☠️🤖 VTuber (@NanoSNAkeRs) August 13, 2026
- Lowdown: US National AI Policy Framework Says AI Training Is Not An Infringement Of Copyright
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