Twitch CEO apologizes after assault of streamer Emiru at TwitchCon 2025, pledges stronger security
Twitch CEO Dan Clancy has issued a public apology following the assault of popular streamer Emiru during a meet-and-greet at TwitchCon 2025. Posting on X, Clancy took responsibility for the security failure and the company’s missteps in its immediate response, promising stronger safeguards at future events.
The incident took place on October 19 at the San Diego Convention Center. During Emiru’s session, a male attendee reportedly bypassed security and multiple barriers before grabbing her face and attempting to kiss her without consent. Video of the encounter quickly circulated on social platforms, fueling widespread outrage from fans, creators, and industry peers. In the footage, both event security and nearby attendees appear slow to intervene, heightening concerns about safety protocols on the show floor.
In a follow-up statement on October 20, the platform said attendee safety is its top priority and called the assailant’s actions completely unacceptable and deeply upsetting. However, Emiru later shared that the individual was initially allowed to leave the premises—an account supported by video showing a suspect exiting the venue. She added that the person was detained only after persistent efforts by her manager to push event staff to act. Emiru has confirmed she is pursuing criminal charges. According to authorities, the suspect is a 22-year-old Texas resident with a prior ban from the platform for harassment.
Clancy’s comments during an on-site interview drew additional backlash when he referred to assault as a challenge in today’s society, prompting accusations of being tone-deaf and reactive rather than proactive. In his apology, he acknowledged both the security lapse and the company’s communication failures, stating that what happened should never have occurred and directly apologizing to Emiru. He also emphasized that the team is closely reviewing what went wrong and will implement better measures to protect creators and attendees going forward.
The incident has reignited debate around safety at large conventions and meet-and-greets, where high-profile creators often interact with long lines of fans. The streaming community is calling for clear, visible, and consistently enforced security protocols—especially for talent meetups—including stronger perimeter control, faster response procedures, and more empowered on-floor staff. With future events under intense scrutiny, how the company adapts its security playbook will be watched closely by creators, attendees, and partners alike.
Key points:
– Emiru was assaulted during a meet-and-greet at TwitchCon 2025 in San Diego; video of the incident went viral.
– The company’s initial response faced criticism after the assailant was reportedly allowed to leave before being detained.
– Emiru is pursuing criminal charges; authorities identified the suspect as a 22-year-old from Texas with a prior harassment-related ban.
– CEO Dan Clancy apologized, took accountability for both the incident and communication missteps, and pledged stronger security at future events.
