xQc, the popular Twitch streamer, was temporarily banned for watching a FIFA World Cup video during a livestream. The suspension, which began on June 22, was temporary, and the streamer regained access to his channel within hours. The incident quickly spread on social media. A user commented:
“I believe it was only highlights so that’s crazy”
While streaming on Kick during his Twitch suspension, xQc discussed the issue and revealed that Twitch had given a copyright-related strike to prevent any further violations during the same broadcast.
According to the streamer, Twitch momentarily shut down his channel after receiving a copyright complaint about FIFA World Cup footage. In response to the notification, xQc claimed that the alleged violation merely covered a very brief highlight clip. He said:
“Well, GGs, I guess. It really sucks because I waited as much as I could. Chat, it’s that one f**king clip! It’s the one f**king clip!”
The streamer was watching Mbappé’s highlight clip against Iraq where he scored 2 goals:
“I think it’s the f**king 5-second clip of Kylian Mbappe! Five seconds. That’s crazy.”
The former Overwatch professional also stated that the platform’s decision was procedural rather than aggressive, pointing out that Twitch frequently suspends streams following a strike to prevent more copyright infractions.
The event occurred during FIFA’s strong attempts to protect World Cup broadcast rights globally.
According to recent sources, FIFA took down over 1,000 unlicensed websites and streaming links throughout the competition. The organization apparently deployed AI-powered monitoring techniques to detect and remove copyrighted World Cup content from websites and social media platforms.
As a result, even brief clips and highlight footage have received extra attention throughout the tournament.
Netizens react to xQc’s ban
The incident quickly spread all over social media, with some users left stunned by the apparent cause for the suspension. Several netizens questioned how a clip lasting only a few seconds, as reported by xQc, could result in a copyright strike and a temporary ban. A user commented:
“Dang I believe it was only highlights so that’s crazy. He also streams on kick for those who want to still watch his stream rn.”
More users chimed in, with another saying:
“To be honest I think fifa regulations are outta control, that’s why I try to stay away from anything that takes things too anally about who’s reacting to their stuff cause it’s showing their properties.”
Several users echoed similar frustrations, claiming that FIFA’s copyright enforcement during the World Cup has grown unduly stringent, particularly when it comes to reaction content and short highlight clips. A user joked:
“Bro really got banned for blinkin’ at a match.”
Another user joked about their experiences with World Cup related suspensions:
“I watched like half of the first Mexico match before they banned me for 2 days.”
A user questioned whether copyright laws should apply to even brief snippets of content:
“I feel like anything below like 20 seconds shouldn’t even be eligible for dmca takedowns. This system is f*cking stupid.”
Another user reacted by posting a GIF from SpongeBob SquarePants in which SpongeBob and Patrick are detained and then freed moments later, comparing it to xQc’s brief ban.
Another fan just added:
“That’s so dumb. Free xQc Dan!”
Similarly, another user tweeted Kylian Mbappé’s popular “dictator” meme image, joking that the French star was personally responsible for xQc’s ban after the streamer watched one of his World Cup clips:
Despite the copyright strike, xQc was back to streaming on Twitch hours later. Many creators may face a similar situation as the World Cup moves to the later stages.
Stay tuned to Soap Central for more information.
Edited by Zachary D. Lyngdoh