Twitch CEO Responds After Emiru Assault at TwitchCon

Clips recently surfaced online showing streamer and cosplayer Emiru being forcefully assaulted during a meet-and-greet at TwitchCon San Diego. In the footage, a man approached her, grabbed her without consent, and attempted to kiss her.

The incident quickly went viral, not only because of the disturbing act itself but also due to the lackluster response from event security. For days, Twitch remained silent, which only fueled frustration among fans and fellow creators.

Dan Clancy responds to Emiru’s TwitchCon assault, apologizing and promising reviews of safety, IRL streaming, and accessibility.

Now, Twitch CEO Dan Clancy has issued a lengthy statement addressing the situation.

In his post, Clancy admitted that Twitch failed both in preventing the incident and in how it handled communication afterward. “I want to be upfront and take accountability for the security incident that occurred during Emiru’s Meet and Greet. It shouldn’t have happened and we take that very seriously. We failed, both in allowing it to occur, and in our response following. We mismanaged our communications about the incident, and that includes the comments I made,” Clancy wrote, adding a direct apology to Emiru.

Clancy went on to outline several steps Twitch plans to take moving forward. These include a "complete analysis of the incident that took place, as well as other issues that came to our attention after TwitchCon concluded." The review will cover everything from sign-up systems and event layouts to increased security controls.

He also confirmed that Twitch is conducting a "comprehensive review of overall event safety," though not all the details will be shared publicly for security reasons.

Another point raised was the role of IRL streaming at TwitchCon. Clancy acknowledged that while IRL content is an important part of Twitch’s identity, the company must ensure conventions remain safe and accessible for all participants. “We will be reviewing how we handle IRL streaming at TwitchCon, and will have more to share soon,” he added.

In his concluding remarks, Clancy noted that Twitch had received "clear feedback on accessibility across the event." He said the company is working with production and venue teams to ensure future conventions are "better equipped for future events."

"You put a lot of trust in us by attending TwitchCon, and we take our responsibility to keep you safe seriously. We know that TwitchCon means a lot to a lot of people, and it means a lot to us. Be on the lookout for more updates, and thanks for being a part of Twitch."

Despite the apology, many creators and fans weren’t convinced. Replies on X (formerly Twitter) criticized the statement as too little, too late. One streamer bluntly said, “I am embarrassed to be a Twitch streamer.” Others argued that Twitch only acted because Emiru is a high-profile creator, pointing out that smaller streamers have faced similar issues without receiving the same attention.

The backlash also reignited other controversies from TwitchCon, including complaints from VTuber fans who claimed gifts were discarded and meet-and-greet sessions were mishandled. These incidents, combined with the assault, have left many questioning Twitch’s ability to run safe and inclusive events.

For now, Twitch insists it is listening and promises changes ahead of future conventions. But as the community reaction shows, regaining trust won’t be easy.