Why was Dr Disrespect banned on Twitch? Everything you need to know
Dr DisrespectDoc’s ban from Twitch is still shrouded in mystery.
Streamer Dr Disrespect was permanently banned from Twitch in 2020, but what happened and why was he banned? Here’s everything you need to know.
Dr Disrespect was the self-proclaimed ‘Face of Twitch’ before being unceremoniously removed from the site, even though he was one of the most-followed streamers on the platform at the time. Portrayed by Guy Beahm, the personality’s over-the-top 80s action-hero character and unrivaled production value made him a hit with viewers.
On June 26, 2020, Dr Disrespect’s channel was removed from Twitch, and reports claimed the streamer had been permanently banned. This came just after the steamer signed a multi-year contract with the Amazon-owned company in March 2020 to keep him on the site for the foreseeable future.
More than two years later, the legal dispute between the Doc and Twitch was resolved – with neither party accepting wrongdoing. Here’s everything we know about the most high-profile and controversial ban in Twitch history.
Contents
- Dr Disrespect banned from Twitch
- Dr Disrespect responds
- Twitch community reacts
- Refunded subscriptions
- Mrs Assassin speaks out
- Doc’s final stream
- Moving to YouTube
- What’s the situation today?
Dr Disrespect banned from Twitch
Dr Disrespect’s account suspension took place on June 26, 2020.
Soon after, Twitch sent the following statement to Dexerto: “As is our process, we take appropriate action when we have evidence that a streamer has acted in violation of our Community Guidelines or Terms of Service. These apply to all streamers regardless of status or prominence in the community.”
Outside of stating that Doc had “acted in violation” of Community Guidelines, no explanation was given at the time as to what he had done.
Dr Disrespect responds
On the evening of June 27, 2020, a day after his suspension from Twitch, the streamer finally broke his silence with a statement on Twitter: “Champions Club, Twitch has not notified me on the specific reason behind their decision. Firm handshakes to all for the support during this difficult time.”
Champions Club,
Twitch has not notified me on the specific reason behind their decision… Firm handshakes to all for the support during this difficult time.
-Dr Disrespect
— Dr Disrespect (@DrDisrespect) June 28, 2020
At the time, however, he did not say how long the ban would last, or if it was permanent. To this day, Twitch still hasn’t confirmed a reason.
Twitch community reacts to the news
As reports began to come out that alleged that the streamer’s ban from Twitch was permanent, Beahm’s close friend and collaborator Timothy ‘TimTheTatman‘ Betar reacted to the news during a live broadcast. “When I was talking to Doc, all he said was that he was talking to Twitch to figure out what happened,” he said.
“He’s talking to Twitch to figure out what happened.”
TimTheTatman says Dr Disrespect is in talks with Twitch to try and find out why he’s been banned. pic.twitter.com/5BGpALWNPH
— DEXERTO.COM (@Dexerto) June 26, 2020
Reporter Slasher later updated everyone on what he knew as well.
“Look: for several hours now I have been told from credible sources the reason DrDisrespect has been banned,” he wrote. “However, due to the importance and sensitivity around the subject, I have refrained from going on it. I don’t feel comfortable with it currently.”
look: for several hours now I have been told from credible sources the reason DrDisrespect has been banned. however due to the importance and sensitivity around the subject I have refrained from going on it. i don't feel comfortable with it currently
— Rod Breslau (@Slasher) June 27, 2020
But, the reluctance to share the reason, and Doc himself claiming he had been given no reason, led to this post from Slasher becoming ‘memed’ in the years since.
Twitch refunds Dr Disrespect subscriptions
Hours after the Two-Time Champion had been banned, viewers began to report that Twitch had refunded their subscriptions to his channel, as well as removing his emotes from the platform.
Twitch have cancelled subscriptions to Dr Disrespect's channel and are sending out refunds. His emotes are also no longer available.
Here's the email sent out to all subs: pic.twitter.com/YPBkzoV7nP
— Dexerto (@Dexerto) June 27, 2020
This was a significant indicator that his ban was in fact permanent, as temporary suspensions typically do not result in subscriptions being refunded.
Mrs Assassin speaks out
Dr Disrespect’s wife, known as ‘Mrs Assassin’, spoke out through an Instagram story late on June 26, thanking fans for their “love, support, strength, and kindness.”
While the post didn’t reveal anything further, it was the first time anyone had heard anything from within Doc’s camp. Mrs Assassin has often been featured as a character during his livestreams.
Doc’s last stream
Social media was sent into a frenzy when footage from Doc’s last stream was uploaded to YouTube and sparked confusion.
In the clip, the streamer suddenly goes quiet and says “I appreciate everyone watching today. We’ll get through this Champions Club. I know it’s tough, life’s weird right now. We’ll get through this okay. And uh…f**k,” before abruptly ending his broadcast.
(Segment starts at 7:35)