Dr Disrespect was permanently banned from Twitch during the Summer of 2020. Since then, rumors and speculation have been rife over why he was banned from the platform. Here’s everything you need to know about Doc’s Twitch ban, and the legal dispute that followed.
Doc was the self-proclaimed ‘Face of Twitch’ before being unceremoniously removed from the site, and was one of the most-followed streamers on the platform. Portrayed by Guy Beahm, the personality’s over-the-top 80s action-hero character and unrivaled production value made him a hit with viewers.
On June 26, 2020, Dr Disrespect’s channel was removed from Twitch, and reports claimed the streamer had been permanently banned. This came just after the steamer signed a multi-year contract with the Amazon-owned company in March 2020 to keep him on the site for the foreseeable future.
More than two years later, the legal dispute between the Doc and Twitch was resolved – with neither party accepting wrongdoing. Here’s everything we know about the most high-profile and controversial ban in Twitch history.
Contents
- Dr Disrespect banned from Twitch
- Dr Disrespect responds
- Twitch community reacts
- Refunded subscriptions
- Mrs Assassin speaks out
- Doc’s final stream
- Moving to YouTube
- What’s the situation today?
Dr Disrespect banned from Twitch
Dr Disrespect’s account suspension took place on June 26, 2020.
Soon after, Twitch sent the following statement to Dexerto: “As is our process, we take appropriate action when we have evidence that a streamer has acted in violation of our Community Guidelines or Terms of Service. These apply to all streamers regardless of status or prominence in the community.”
Outside of stating that Doc had “acted in violation” of Community Guidelines, no explanation was given at the time as to what he had done.
Dr Disrespect responds
On the evening of June 27, a day after his suspension from Twitch, the streamer finally broke his silence with a statement on Twitter: “Champions Club, Twitch has not notified me on the specific reason behind their decision. Firm handshakes to all for the support during this difficult time.”
Champions Club,
Twitch has not notified me on the specific reason behind their decision… Firm handshakes to all for the support during this difficult time.
-Dr Disrespect
— Dr Disrespect (@DrDisrespect) June 28, 2020
At the time, however, he did not say how long the ban would last, or if it was permanent. To this day, Twitch still hasn’t confirmed a reason.
Twitch community reacts to the news
As reports began to come out that alleged that the streamer’s ban from Twitch was permanent, Beahm’s close friend and collaborator Timothy ‘TimTheTatman’ Betar reacted to the news during a live broadcast. “When I was talking to Doc, all he said was that he was talking to Twitch to figure out what happened,” he said.
“He’s talking to Twitch to figure out what happened.”
TimTheTatman says Dr Disrespect is in talks with Twitch to try and find out why he’s been banned. pic.twitter.com/5BGpALWNPH
— DEXERTO.COM (@Dexerto) June 26, 2020
Reporter Slasher later updated everyone on what he knew as well.
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“Look: for several hours now I have been told from credible sources the reason DrDisrespect has been banned,” he wrote. “However, due to the importance and sensitivity around the subject, I have refrained from going on it. I don’t feel comfortable with it currently.”
look: for several hours now I have been told from credible sources the reason DrDisrespect has been banned. however due to the importance and sensitivity around the subject I have refrained from going on it. i don't feel comfortable with it currently
— Rod Breslau (@Slasher) June 27, 2020
But, the reluctance to share the reason, and Doc himself claiming he had been given no reason, led to this post from Slasher becoming ‘memed’ in the years since.
Twitch refunds Dr Disrespect subscriptions
Hours after the Two-Time Champion had been banned, viewers began to report that Twitch had refunded their subscriptions to his channel, as well as removing his emotes from the platform.
Twitch have cancelled subscriptions to Dr Disrespect's channel and are sending out refunds. His emotes are also no longer available.
Here's the email sent out to all subs: pic.twitter.com/YPBkzoV7nP
— Dexerto (@Dexerto) June 27, 2020
This was a significant indicator that his ban was in fact permanent, as temporary suspensions typically do not result in subscriptions being refunded.
Mrs Assassin speaks out
Dr Disrespect’s wife, known as ‘Mrs Assassin’, spoke out through an Instagram story late on June 26, thanking fans for their “love, support, strength, and kindness.”
While the post didn’t reveal anything further, it was the first time anyone had heard anything from within Doc’s camp. Mrs Assassin has often been featured as a character during his livestreams.
Doc’s last stream
Social media was sent into a frenzy when footage from Doc’s last stream was uploaded to YouTube and sparked confusion.
In the clip, the streamer suddenly goes quiet and says “I appreciate everyone watching today. We’ll get through this Champions Club. I know it’s tough, life’s weird right now. We’ll get through this okay. And uh…f**k,” before abruptly ending his broadcast.
(Segment starts at 7:35)
Dr Disrespect moves to YouTube
Amid the uncertainty of the ban, Doc went live for his first YouTube stream on August 6 and confirmed he would be moving to the platform, but didn’t actually say anything or show his face, instead just playing seemingly random sound-bites of himself over a static backdrop featuring one of his graphics.
Then, the next day on August 7 he actually went live for the first time on YouTube to over 500,000 viewers, clearly showing he still had what it took to pull the people in, despite the ban, and since then, that’s where he’s remained.
Dr Disrespect sues Twitch over his ban
During a livestream on August 23, the Two-Time claimed that he’s taking legal action against Twitch as a result of his ban in 2020.
Doc also stated that he’s known about the reason for his ban for some time now, and is making no bones about his attitude toward the situation.
“There’s a reason why, and I’ll just say this right now champs — there’s a reason why we’re suing the f**k out of ’em, ok?” he said. “I don’t know how else to put it, the amount of damages, and you just don’t… nah.”
🚨 @DrDisrespect says he knows the reason for his Twitch ban and is planning to sue Twitch over it pic.twitter.com/fU8v6YqPKV
— Dexerto (@Dexerto) August 23, 2021
There’s been no word from Twitch regarding his latest claims, just yet.
What’s the Dr Disrespect/Twitch situation today?
If you’re reading this, that means that Doc is still banned on Twitch, and continues to stream to the Champion’s Club on YouTube. While the Two-Time has never given an exact reason for his ban, he has hinted that it had to do with the significant amount of money he was set to receive for his multi-year deal with the site.
“Imagine the Navy going in there and getting rid of you, just out of nowhere,” Doc told a viewer in September 2020 after they asked about the situation. “And then bringing in three new cadets. Because you know what, they say ‘man, even though he’s going to turn Master Chief, that’s a big, huge salary.”
On March 10, 2022, Dr Disrespect announced that legal proceedings had ended.
Moving on. pic.twitter.com/aA4KfHOSK2
— Dr Disrespect (@DrDisrespect) March 10, 2022
He also confirmed in a follow-up tweet that he would not be returning to Twitch.
With no public legal proceedings taking place, it is likely we may never find out the root issue at the core of the Doc’s ban. Whether he will ever be unbanned from the platform itself, remains to be seen.
Visiting his channel simply reads: “This channel is currently unavailable due to a violation of Twitch’s Community Guidelines or Terms of Service.”
So, there you have it – all we know on Dr Disrespect being banned on Twitch. As more information is revealed, we’ll update this piece accordingly.
