Controversial streamer Darren “IShowSpeed” Watkins is returning to Twitch on Monday, July 7, for the first time in four years, reigniting debate about how platforms handle serious misconduct. His stream will coincide with the next leg of his Europe IRL tour, simulcast on both YouTube and Twitch.
A Ban That Should Have Remained
IShowSpeed was banned from Twitch in late 2021 after being accused of sexual intimidation during a stream hosted by Adin Ross. While Twitch lifted his ban in October 2023, Watkins had chosen to remain on YouTube — where he commands an audience of more than 41.4 million subscribers — until now.
For many viewers and critics, his return to Twitch highlights the platform’s inconsistent approach to enforcing its own community standards. Serious offenses such as sexual intimidation should carry permanent consequences. If someone cannot demonstrate respect for women, they should not have the privilege of a platform — let alone continue profiting from it.
That Watkins remains one of the highest-earning personalities on YouTube, even after his behavior, underscores a disturbing trend: the normalization and reward of conduct that should be disqualifying. Offenders of this nature do not deserve to be celebrated, followed, or financially supported. Platforms have a responsibility to hold their creators to a higher standard, and both YouTube and Twitch have so far failed to meet that obligation in this case.
Europe Tour Amid Ongoing Controversy
Despite the criticism, Watkins announced on social media that he will return to Twitch on July 7 at 7:00 AM Eastern, streaming live from Europe as he visits France, Finland, Croatia, and Greece. The duration of the tour remains unclear, but the event marks his first Twitch broadcast since May 2021.
A Call for Higher Standards
For those who value accountability, the return of IShowSpeed is a bitter reminder that platforms continue to put profit and popularity over principle. Until Twitch and YouTube begin enforcing permanent consequences for such misconduct, they risk enabling more of the same behavior.
Respect for women — and for basic decency — should not be negotiable. Audiences and platforms alike have the power to demand better.
