The celebratory atmosphere of TwitchCon San Diego 2025, marking the event’s 10th anniversary, was overshadowed by severe and recurring security failures. While Twitch CEO Dan Clancy unveiled new features aimed at creator growth during the opening Keynote, the reality on the ground demonstrated a profound disregard for the fundamental safety of its biggest stars. This culminated in a high-profile incident involving streamer Emiru, whose detailed account of harassment and attack exposed glaring deficiencies in TwitchCon’s security protocols.
The Emiru Incident: Failure to Act
The controversy centers on an incident in which a fan rushed the popular streamer, attempting to hug and kiss her without her consent. While Twitch initially released a statement implying that the situation was handled swiftly and that security was its priority, Emiru’s own team quickly exposed it as a “blatant lie.”
According to Emiru and her management, the fan was not dealt with immediately. He was allowed to walk away from the meet-and-greet area, and it took hours of relentless pressure from her manager before TwitchCon staff finally removed the individual from the event.
This delayed, reactive response highlighted a severe disconnect between Twitch’s public commitment to safety and the reality of the on-site operation. Emiru herself stated this experience, compounded by the staff’s initial indifference, would likely make TwitchCon 2025 her last convention appearance.
Banning Protection, Ignoring Risks
The security lapses were tragically exacerbated by Twitch’s policies regarding creator protection. It was revealed that Emiru’s regular personal bodyguard was denied entry or the ability to work the event due to a prior incident involving another individual.
This policy—effectively banning experienced, dedicated, and paid private protection—is seen by many in the creator community as an unconscionable failure. It forces creators, especially high-profile female streamers who often face increased risk of inappropriate touching and harassment, to rely entirely on event-provided security that proved woefully inadequate.
The message is clear: Twitch removed the creator’s ability to ensure her own safety while failing to provide a credible alternative, creating a dangerous and unprotected environment.
A Systemic Problem That Goes Unaddressed
The Emiru incident is not isolated. For years, female streamers have reported constant issues at these large conventions, citing inappropriate touching, overly aggressive fan behavior, and a troubling culture of expectation from individuals who confuse donations with intimacy.
Community frustration is directed not only at the event staff but also at the upper echelons of Twitch leadership. The sentiment is that a company with Twitch’s vast resources can —and must —afford to hire and deploy competent, proactive security teams to protect the very talent that drives its business. The current model—which appears to prioritize a “no-barriers” connection culture over physical safety—is proving actively detrimental.
The repeated security failings, particularly the failure to immediately recognize and address a physical assault against a creator, suggest a deeper structural issue. When the official response is demonstrably false and corrective action occurs only after managerial intervention, it signals that safety is a matter of PR, not a priority.
The Inevitable Knee-Jerk Reaction
Given the severe public relations fallout, many expect Twitch to enact an immediate, short-term “knee-jerk reaction”—tightening security for the next one or two events. However, based on the historical pattern of lax security returning after the news cycle moves on, this solution is unlikely to be permanent.
Twitch has a responsibility to its creators that goes beyond monetization tools and mobile updates. It is time for the platform to stop viewing security as a cost to be minimized and start treating the physical safety and boundaries of its creators as the non-negotiable foundation of its entire community. Until that shift occurs, the sense of alienation and betrayal felt by creators like Emiru will only grow.