Summary
Twitchhas lifted its permanent ban on Gonzalo “ZeRo” Barrios, almost five years after removing him from the platform. Even as the top streaming service,Twitchfrequently faces criticism for its shaky ban policies; some say it shows favoritism while punishing others too harshly.
For those who don’t know ZeRo, he used to be seen as one of the topSuper Smash Bros. Brawlplayers around. Then, in 2020, allegations shook theSmashcommunity whenZeRo was confronted with claims of sexual misconduct involving minors. He later acknowledged parts of the accusations, saying the claims from Katie and Laura were “generally true” - he didn’t know their ages at the time and sent messages he called “unforgivable.” However, another accuser, Jisu, didn’t believe it and said ZeRo wasn’t being fully honest, accusing him of attempting to salvage his image and only admitting to certain actions when the situation became too serious.
ZeRo’s Unbanning Sparks Mixed Reactions
ZeRo’s sudden unbanning has sparked mixed reactions across the community. Some arecriticizingthe platform for letting him back in, while others can’t stop talking about how different he looks. It’s not clear why the Amazon-owned streaming giant changed its mind, but it lines up with the new ban policy changes introduced in February. Now, even streamers withpermanent Twitch bans can ask for a reviewafter six months, and it might just get them back online.
What ZeRo has planned for streams is unclear - maybe fitness content or a gaming comeback. But there’s no guarantee his unban will last, given Twitch’s recent unpredictable behavior in similar cases.Take controversial streamer Sliker, whose account was unbanned after two years, only to be removed again within hours. Meanwhile, other streamers like Adin Ross keep asking for another chance, but Twitch has remained unresponsive. These inconsistent unbans highlight the company’s perceived lack of transparency. If the platform is going to lift a permanent ban, many in the community would appreciate a clear explanation for the reasoning.
