Twitch being investigated for Buffalo shooting

This story about the dangers of the Internet, boiled down, in 1:27 minutes.

What's the fuss?

Livestreaming platform Twitch as well as a handful of other social media platforms have come under fire for their role in the attack at a Buffalo grocery store.

The situation

On May 14, a lone gunman attacked citizens in a Buffalo grocery store, killing 10 and wounding 3.

• The horrific incident was streamed online on the Internet streaming platform Twitch by the gunman before being forcibly taken down within 2 minutes.

The New York Attorney General's Office has pursued a formal investigation of certain social media platforms that may have played a role in the attack.

• Such platforms under investigation are Twitch and voice/messaging app Discord - platforms that are heavily used by gamers.
• The attacker, now under arrest, used Discord to link his Twitch livestream.

Boiling it down

Online content platforms such as Twitch and YouTube makes it easy, almost too easy, for people to broadcast themselves live.

• All one needs is an account, a camera, as well as a free piece of software and you're good to go.
• The ease of access that made these platforms household names has the trade-off of a lack of pre-emptive protections that keeps their content safe.

The Internet, particularly online forums, have allowed hate speech to spread and fester.

• The anonymity that comes with posting on the Internet allows people to promote hate without consequence.
• Hopefully we will see positive change come from the investigation that will see these digital spaces become safer.

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