Why online organizers are pressuring advertisers to reconsider Twitch’s brand safety over antisemitism claims

A cadre of digital creators is accusing Twitch of antisemitic acts — and pressuring advertisers to pull their spending from the platform accordingly. Thus far, it’s unclear whether brands have changed their approach to advertising on Twitch as a result. 

The group of online organizers, led by creator Dan “DanCantStream” Saltman, has centered its criticisms of Twitch around the revelation that the platform had disabled email signups for users located in Israel and Palestine following the terrorist attacks of Oct. 7, 2023 and the following Israeli military action in Gaza. Twitch lifted the ban earlier this month, but the online organizers viewed the policy as an attempt to prevent Israelis from reporting on the conflict in the region and are using the opportunity to challenge advertisers on brand safety.

When reached for comment about the accusations, a Twitch spokesperson vehemently denied that any of the platform’s actions were evidence of antisemitism and pointed to its community guidelines to protect its spaces for users.

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