Twitch lets users block Amazon AI training on streams

Twitch announced on August 13, 2026, that users can now prevent Amazon from using their livestream content to train generative AI models. The streaming platform revealed a new opt-out setting that overrides a default allowing Amazon to collect streams, clips, images, chats, and other channel material for AI training.

The change affects all Twitch users, including top content creators who have tens of millions of followers. Twitch's chief product officer Mike Minton explained during a platform livestream that AI training collection is turned on by default, as it is on most content services, but the company is now "respecting" users' wishes to opt out. He admitted that if the setting were opt-in, "nobody would opt-in," and added that data from users who remain opted in will not be re-sold to other companies.

The announcement confirmed that Amazon, which acquired Twitch in 2014, has been using the platform's content for AI training, sparking widespread backlash. Amazon has invested heavily in AI development to compete with Google, Meta, and other tech giants. Mary Kish, Twitch's head of community, walked viewers through how to disable generative AI training in channel settings, noting that data collection for AI training has become an industry standard. "We don't expect you to be happy or excited about this," she said.

During the livestream, the chat column filled with hundreds of critical comments. One viewer wrote that "nobody would opt in because nobody wants to feed AI with our creativity and content," while another said Twitch had an "opportunity to set an industry standard" against data collection for AI. The BBC has contacted Amazon and Twitch for further comment.

It remains unclear when Amazon began collecting Twitch users' data for AI training. Minton said he did not know if users' data had already been scraped, adding that he was unsure what Amazon "has done in terms of model training and what they've used and not used."