Twitch introduces heavy-handed copyrighted audio muting system
Game streaming site Twitch has begun muting video-on-demand streams it suspects are using unauthorised copyrighted audio in a move which has seen many archived streams rendered silent.
Twitch streams live gaming 'Let's Plays'
The video-on-demand site has, since yesterday, been silencing half-hour portions of broadcasts it deems to be using copyrighted audio with users instead being directed towards free-to-use content from Creative Commons, Jamendo and SongFreedom.
The site, which uses Audible Magic Technology to scan for third party tracks, admitted that its audio recognition system may not be “100 per cent accurate," which could result in content not in breach of the guidelines being muted.
Critics have called this is a heavy-handed approach as game streams with licensed audio - like Grand Theft Auto 5 - will still be flagged up by the system which will be incapable of telling the difference.
Twitch said in a statement: “Starting today, Twitch will be implementing technology intended to help broadcasters avoid the storage of videos containing unauthorized third-party audio.
“We respect the rights of copyright owners, and are voluntarily undertaking this effort to help protect both our broadcasters and copyright owners.”
It added: “If you believe that your video has been flagged improperly…then we will consider unmuting your video if you send us a counter-notification that is compliant with the provisions of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act.”
Embarrasingly for the site however, viewers have noticed that the audio can be switched back on with a flick on the mute button on the video player.
This comes after Google, which also uses similar copyright scanning measures with YouTube, bought Twitch last month for $1bn.