Twitch Streamer ZChum Banned Mid-Subathon Over Twitch Drops Farming Allegations
Popular Twitch streamer ZChum faced an unexpected ban during a week-long subathon, accused of violating Twitch’s policies by allegedly rebroadcasting VODs to farm Twitch Drops. The suspension resulted in the deletion of 288 hours of archived content, sparking controversy within the streaming community.
### What Happened?
ZChum was collaborating with fellow streamer OmidLive on a Rust subathon, maintaining a 24/7 live stream with alternating shifts. The streamers claimed they only went offline briefly for essential needs like meals and hygiene. However, on July 5, Twitch issued a ban, citing “rebroadcasting VODs to farm Twitch Drops” as the reason.
### ZChum’s Response
Denying the allegations, ZChum took to X (formerly Twitter) to clarify that no pre-recorded content was looped and that the subathon had begun a week before the Rust Twitch Drops campaign launched. He emphasized that all streams were live, with participants constantly on camera.
### Consequences of the Ban
The most significant loss was the removal of 288 hours of VODs, erasing much of the subathon’s progress. Only a single 46-hour segment remained visible. The ban disrupted the event, frustrating viewers who had financially supported the marathon.
### Community Backlash
The incident ignited debates about Twitch’s moderation system, particularly during high-traffic events like Twitch Drops. Many creators criticized the platform’s lack of transparency, arguing that automated enforcement can unfairly penalize legitimate streams.
### Account Restored, But Questions Remain
Though ZChum’s channel was later reinstated, the damage was already done. The case highlights ongoing concerns about Twitch’s inconsistent policy enforcement and the risks streamers face when running extended live events.
As the platform continues to evolve, creators are calling for clearer guidelines to avoid similar disruptions in the future.