Dr. Disrespect’s Twitch Ban for Posts Directed to a Minor, Explained

Herschel “Guy” Beahm, best known for his passionate livestream gaming under the name Dr. Disrespect, has finally addressed the reason for his ban from Twitch. In a June 25 statement, Beahm admitted to previously having conversations with a minor on the platform that “sometimes leaned too much toward the inappropriate.” In 2020, his channel was abruptly removed from Twitch, with no public explanation given to his over four million subscribers at the time. Years later, it seemed that the reason for his departure might still remain a mystery. Then, on Friday, a former Twitch employee, Cody Conners, took to social media to share allegations that did not identify Beahm by name, but were widely interpreted as involving him. “He was banned because he was caught sexting a minor in the then-existing Twitch Whispers product,” Conners wrote. “He was trying to meet her at TwitchCon. The powers that be could read in plain text. Case closed, gang. » Another former Twitch employee later corroborated the allegations to The edge. Below are the key takeaways from Dr. Disrespect’s response to the allegations.

In a lengthy statement shared on June 25, he admitted to being banned after having conversations with a minor that sometimes “leaned too much toward the inappropriate” on Twitch Whisperers (which allowed users to start private one-on-one conversations). -head). According to Beahm, this happened in 2017, when he would have been in his 30s. He denied that there were “real intentions” behind these “casual and reciprocal” messages. Noting that criminal charges were never brought against him, he further claimed that no photos were shared, he never met the individual and nothing illegal happened. product.

“From a moral point of view, I fully assume my responsibility. I should never have had these conversations,” he added. ” It’s my fault. This is my fault as an adult, husband and father. This should never have happened. I understand. I am not perfect and I will take responsibility for my actions. It was stupid. ” He nevertheless concluded his statement by strongly denying that he is a “predator or a pedophile” and criticizing those who call him “the worst of the worst with their exaggerations. »

Beahm said in his statement that, “for reasons beyond (his) control,” he was not “authorized” to comment on his ban. He suggested that because former Twitch employees had publicly shared the allegations, he could now respond. It seems likely that this is related to the terms of a previous legal settlement with Twitch. In 2021, Beahm sued the platform in a civil case that was ultimately settled the following year. “No party admits any wrongdoing,” he then shared on social networks.

Game studio Midnight Society, co-founded by Beahm, announced on June 24 that it had ended its relationship with him after learning of the allegations and “speaking with the parties involved.” In his statement, Beahm called his departure a “painful” mutual decision. “Our team is made up of incredibly talented and good people who have great professional ambitions and families and I would never want to jeopardize the culture we have carefully crafted,” he wrote. Meanwhile, Midnight Society studio director Robert Bowling released a short personal statement: “If you send an inappropriate message to a minor. I can’t work with you. Period. » Gaming accessory maker Turtle Beach also confirmed to The edge that he had ended a multi-year sponsorship deal with Beahm.

Probably not. In a YouTube broadcast on June 24, Beahm mentioned that he was considering extending his planned vacation. However, it appears to be a temporary hiatus. “I’m not going anywhere,” he said in his statement. “I’m not the same guy who made that mistake all those years ago. I’m taking an extended vacation with my family as mentioned in the stream and returning with a heavy weight on my shoulders.