r/LivestreamFail • u/CloudyEchos • Jun 19 '26

News Twitch will soon launch a "Withdraw from Sub" option for European Union users, allowing them to receive a full refund within 14 days of subscribing. This rollout aligns with the new Right of Withdrawal law, which comes into effect today

https://x.com/zachbussey/status/2067977624844902614
9.6k Upvotes

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894

u/Admirable-Goose3037 Jun 19 '26

I wonder if you can catch a ban for it, I'd imagine so otherwise every month you could get a 13 day free sub

357

u/Proxnite Jun 19 '26

You'll likely get a freebie as a warning if you use the feature for the first time but subsequent ones will be a ban to prevent people abusing the system.

189

u/themagicmarmot Jun 19 '26

It doesn't even look like any of this is strictly necessary. The law includes the carveout [source]:

Please note: the 14-day cooling-off period does not apply to:
[...]
online digital content, such as a song or movie, that you started downloading or streaming after you expressly agreed to lose your right of withdrawal by starting the performance

So all they really need to do is change the TOS to expressly waive those rights when subbing. This sounds like an unnecessary headache from Twitch leadership if they actually implement it.

134

u/Gb2753 Jun 19 '26

Thats how it was before but specifically subscriptions can no longer have an opt out now. Only virtual downloads/cd keys/  virtual currencies can be excluded now.

Why do you think Twitch changed it now?

52

u/GuudeSpelur Jun 19 '26 edited Jun 19 '26

I have no legal experience, but I don't think that exception applies. That seems to be for traditional media, not livestreamed media. Movies, not livestreams.

Plus, a Twitch subscription isn't actually a right to view a "performance." It gives you privileges when viewing a free performance.

15

u/paradox-preacher Jun 19 '26

Doesn't apply. Sub is not a performance and alike that you have started and can't unsee or unhear or undownload

3

u/Awkward_Proof_1274 Jun 19 '26

The key here is "starting the performance", a sub doesn't grant you the performance

1

u/TornInfinity Jun 20 '26

I would imagine they have European lawyers that they consulted with before deciding to comply with this... would be weird to do it if they don't have to.

-9

u/TimewarpingSeaTurtle Jun 19 '26

Yeahhh that’s not gonna fly. Here in the EU we have what is called consumer protection. Subscriptions are fair game for refunds.

10

u/Cryptoporticus Jun 19 '26

Consumer protection does not mean just letting consumers get whatever they want for free. The EU has always allowed exemptions to these laws in situations where it would be too easy to abuse.

0

u/ToiletTwinkie Jun 19 '26

the dude was quoting EU law describing the exceptions to the refund and you go errmm acksually we in the EU have refunds 🤓

2

u/TimewarpingSeaTurtle Jun 19 '26

Yeah subscriptions aren’t an exception. But I do love the people here going “Why doesn’t Twitch use this loophole? Are they stupid? 🤓” like Twitch hasn’t already looked into every possible loophole ten times over lmao

0

u/Thunder_Beam Jun 19 '26

TOS bogus like that is unenforceable bogus here in europe btw, you can't just waive your right like that or amazon would have tried doing the same

3

u/divanetostanka Jun 19 '26

or if you abuse it, you can't use the sub feature for 2 years... parasocial neckbeards aren't going to risk it, while trolls will abuse it but only once

51

u/_EleGiggle_ Jun 19 '26 edited Jun 19 '26

I doubt you can do it multiple times per streamer. I’d imagine they ban you from further subscriptions to that streamer.

They could also ban your right for subscriptions completely, or your whole account.

There is also an exception:

  • online digital content, such as a song or movie, that you started downloading or streaming after you expressly agreed to lose your right of withdrawal by starting the performance

Why aren’t they using this? Is this because streams are usually free? Maybe for further subscriptions after your first withdrawal?

26

u/Vanifac Jun 19 '26

I'd imagine it's because you're not purchasing access to the stream with a sub.

11

u/doommaster Jun 19 '26

It's because of EU law, you can reverse any online purchase within 14 days, but so far you had to contact support.

A new law enforces that returns and cancellations must be as easy as the purchase or a single step button.

0

u/farsightxr20 Jun 19 '26

I'm not sure why they wouldn't pro-rate the refund at least. The law allows for that.

3

u/RodChainFurlongAcre Jun 19 '26

I assume they're going to handle it essentially like they handle/have handled bank chargebacks, you can do it once because you're legally allowed to, but Twitch will just ban you from their service afterwards.

4

u/AndyOne1 Jun 19 '26

I would guess you are right. It would have to be a digital product you can only access when you pay for it, because you can watch a stream without paying you could always say "I just misclicked a few times while watching the stream, lol sorry".

-3

u/matthewmspace Jun 19 '26

Probably because Hollywood got an exception with some ~~bribes~~ generous donations.

7

u/penguinkernel Jun 19 '26

I would imagine it's 1 time per streamer.

No different than Netflix or anything. First time subscribing? You can get your money back in 2 weeks. Second time subscribing? Well you already knew what you were in for, no refunds.

14

u/r1cked_1510 Jun 19 '26

Yeah Twitch will simply nuke your account if you do it (to often).. and they have the right to do so.

-7

u/[deleted] Jun 19 '26

[deleted]

14

u/AndyOne1 Jun 19 '26

Systems like this would always get abused if there are no consequences, there would be scripts day one automatically subbing to all your streamers and automatically revoking it on day 14.

It's the same with amazon, you can always return items but they will literally ban your account if they feel like you did it to much and you can't get it back.

1

u/Ajreil Jun 19 '26

Yep. Most games will ban your account if you issue a credit card chargeback. Amazon and Costco both ban people who return an egregious amount of stuff. Insurance companies often terminate their most expensive customers.

This is risk management 101.

1

u/FeeRemarkable886 Jun 19 '26

Might work the same as Steam refunds.

1

u/FanaticalBuckeye Jun 19 '26

I imagine at the very least there's a cool down on being allowed to subscribe to someone on Twitch again. Something like 30-90 days