Complaints on the rise after German authorities new Twitch law

Many Germany-based streamers voiced their upset at the new Twitch law that was passed down by the German authorities, now recognizing Twitch as a “radio service” that requires an official license.

Popular German YouTube and Twitch channel PietSmiet has been first told it will need a license to continue to stream. The law made by German broadcast authority the Landesmedienanstalt has temporarily ruled that live-streaming requires a broadcasting license, which costs between €1,000 and €10,000€ depending on the number of viewers, according to Reddit post. Those without a license will technically be classed as a pirate station and could be shut down.

Germany is not alone in enforcing this kind of legislation. China also requires certain streamers to hold a license in order to broadcast content. It’s not yet clear whether German streamers will have to follow the exact same regulations that TV broadcasters do, but if so, they will have to follow at 10pm watershed.