I wrote this article because I did not want to just scribble something on this subject, which has occupied our last days and drew serious reactions from a certain group, and to pass it off with a TwitLonger.
Editor’s note: The main subject in question here is the Twitch Bit Scam issue.
What is a Bit?
Bits are virtual items that can be purchased on Twitch. Cheering with Bits is the best way to show your support to a streamer via Twitch chat and share your favorite moments with the community and celebrate together, Twitch says.
As it can be understood from the purpose of use, the support you provide for the live streamer you follow, love, want to support and admire is called a Bit.
What is a Prime Subscription?
Twitch Prime is the name given to the Twitch subscription system. With this subscription system, you get many different benefits. You can also have different games for free and can earn in-game items. You can also subscribe to a channel you follow every month for free with Prime.
In other words, with your Prime account, you can subscribe to any streamer for a period of 1 month and in the following months, you can either renew this subscription or subscribe to another streamer.
With the leaked Twitch data, we have sadly seen some unpleasant claims. To someone who has devoted years to digital entertainment and payment systems, I would like to express my apologies.
When the named streamer make a statement regarding the incident/accusation/claims, esportimes will definitely see this and report/share/announce it if necessary.
When Viewed by the Payment Systems
Payment systems are regulated both in Turkey and in the world, by legal entities that are subject to supervision by the relevant institutions of the state, to legal entities/3. provided to parties. Legal entities go through a certain process while integrating these payment systems into their own platforms, and as a result, they continue with one of the 2D (Encrypted/Unapproved) and 3D (Encrypted/Approved) options. While Twitch allows you to perform 3D transactions for Turkey, it may allow 2D transactions abroad.
I would like to continue on the basis that the relevant transactions are carried out from abroad, because in case of 3D (Encrypted / Approved) transactions realized within the country, if the user cannot legally prove that he has not purchased the goods / services, or if he has not objected to any expenditure up to 6 months, there is no room for action. At this point, I would like to emphasize that the fact that it cannot be objected does not legitimize fraud.
The general problem with 2D transactions is this: if your credit card information is in the hands of malicious people in one way or another, the person / institution / organization / organization may use this information in any environment where 2D transactions are made: preferably in digital and immediately consumable products.
Since your credit card information belongs to you and is private, it is specifically stated that you should not share it with third parties/institutions, and in possible cases, you are advised to call your provider and have your card deactivated. Since the suspicious transaction triggers other balance/values, it cannot be reversed/recovered and the card you own is closed for use.
In some exceptional cases, it can be canceled in retrospective transactions. Such as when the product you bought has not reached you yet and you do not want it to reach you. If your bank reaches the payment systems and the payment systems reach the legal person and receives approval, the cancellation can take place.
When Viewed by the Person
This part is pretty short and simple in my opinion:
1- Did I initiate the transaction? > Yes> Cool!
2- Did I initiate the transaction? > No > Fraud > Dispute/Legal Process
Details for step number 2 and why these people think they were scammed: they think the streamer concerned is making an unfair advantage.
Streamer Relation
Where was the transaction done? > Twitch > Streamer > Bit/Prime etc > Cash Out = Earnings.
If someone or a group contacts you and tells you that they will donate, but X portion of their donation should be sent back to them:
Why don’t you tell him that he should never send the amount he thinks should be returned to him? I think this is the most basic question here.
It may be useful to point out that it is forbidden to convert a money in a credit card into cash with the steps written above, and to share the amount converted into cash with a person/group/legal person.
When you look at the Twitch leak and the figures circulating around, you can see that there is actually a huge theft / fraud going on.
In the light of what I have explained above in the most basic lines, I think this is the worst and ugliest thing streamers in Turkey can do in this situation:
It would be to say that they didn’t know, because how can people who are streaming, be able to broadcast on Twitch, accept donations, open the subscribe button, etc. and not have a clue about this subject. Let me state that warding off or glossing over this issue just because it happen everywhere and not just Turkey is not beneficial for any stakeholder in the industry.
The reflection of this issue, which concerns the entire sector, on the esports side will certainly be negative. I believe that it is important for all organizations/clubs/teams to thing about a player who is involved in with anything like this, and that this is the point of view of the organization/club/teams on the industry, and I request/ask all stakeholders in the industry to consider this issue.
What Happens Now?
In the light of the allegations, if the legal ground is formed, it is possible that the person n who is involved in the event one way or another, takes part, organizes, communicates and the legal process begins.
I think there are accusations and allegations that the digital entertainment industry should take into account.
The sector should evaluate this and similar experiences as a basis and act accordingly. Because the main aim of all of us in the sector is to grow correctly and to prevent negative news.
