While I was about to start my broadcast as usual, I saw the message, “This channel is not available,” and thought, “What the heck is going on?”
I’d heard that sometimes temporary suspensions happen due to someone reporting, so I checked my email, only to be shocked by an unexpected sight.
【Notice of Permanent Suspension Due to Unauthorized Program Use】
– Hello, Streamer.
We’re informing you about the permanent suspension of your streaming account due to the use of an unauthorized program.
At Cheeze, we prohibit actions that can harm the platform, such as artificial ranking changes and viewer count manipulation through the use of unauthorized programs.
Streamer Nickname: Cosmo
Username: cosmo1379
Reason for Suspension: Use of an unauthorized program suspected to be a viewbot
We will strive to maintain a clean platform. Thank you.
Wait, are you saying I’m a viewbot user?
I swear, I’ve never even touched such illegal programs, so this sanction made no sense to me. I started to wonder if someone might have mistaken me for another streamer, causing this whole mess.
♬
As I was bewildered and unable to respond properly, my phone rang.
It was none other than Older Sister Seo-ha.
Curious why she was suddenly calling, I glanced at the time and realized I was late to start my broadcast, so I hurriedly answered the call.
“Ah, hello? Older Sister Seo-ha!?”
– Uju, I’m so sorry to call suddenly. I noticed your broadcast was late, and I thought maybe something happened…
Hearing her voice calmed my flustered mind a bit, but not by much.
I was still trying to comprehend the situation I’d just experienced.
“I’m sorry, noona. Actually… I was about to start my broadcast, but I suddenly got an email saying I was permanently suspended.”
– …What? Permanent suspension?
She seemed just as perplexed as I was, surprised by the unexpected situation.
“I don’t know either. It says the reason is suspected use of a viewbot program…”
– A viewbot? That’s ridiculous…!
As Seo-ha’s voice got louder, I felt warmth in my chest even during this serious moment.
Normally, one might wonder if they actually used the program when confronted with such an accusation, but she immediately set the premise that I could never use a viewbot from the start.
– Have you contacted Cheeze?
“No, I was about to when you called… not yet.”
– Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t realize that…. I’ll hang up for now, but please call me after you finish contacting the person in charge.
“I will, noona. Sorry for causing you worry.”
With my words, Seo-ha expressed her outrage, saying it wasn’t my fault and that it was clear the staff handled it carelessly.
It made me chuckle a bit at her glaring intensity.
This sister has a truly terrifying side when she’s angry.
Doo-roo-doo.
Setting aside the call with Seo-ha for a moment, I dialed the number on the business card I had saved earlier.
I was anxious, worrying if it was too late to get through, but thankfully, a voice came through quickly.
– Hello?
“Uh, is this Deputy Manager Kim Sung-min from Aiver?”
– Yes, that’s correct. Who is this?
“This is Cosmo, we met during a Cheeze meeting a while back. Do you remember me?”
– Ah, Mr. Cosmo! Yes, I remember. What’s the matter calling at this hour?
What’s going on?
I suddenly sensed a strange awkwardness in Deputy Manager Kim’s response.
It felt like he didn’t know at all about the news of my permanent suspension. If he did, he should have said something like, “I’ve been waiting for your call.”
Of course, it’s possible that news spreads slowly within the company, but I had understood him to be responsible for just a few partner streamers and taking care of them.
Which means he should be one of the first people to hear such news, so why did he sound clueless? Or maybe they handle things with “report afterwards” style?
“Actually, I received an email today saying my streaming account was permanently suspended. I was wondering what was going on.”
– Permanent suspension?
“Yes, it clearly stated it was due to the use of a viewbot program.”
Reading the email’s content word-for-word back to him, his voice filled with confusion came back.
– That’s strange. Normally, if a permanent suspension is issued against a partner streamer, the person in charge is informed first.
“Does that mean you weren’t given any notice?”
– No, currently none of the streamers I manage have faced such a decision. There shouldn’t be a sudden change in company regulations…
Deputy Manager Kim muttered as if he too was baffled, then asked for a moment, remaining silent for a while.
During that time, I could hear typing on a keyboard from the other end, presumably him looking something up on his laptop or computer.
– I apologize for the wait. I just checked the list and, indeed, your name is on the suspension list. However, this wasn’t there until three hours ago…
“My email was received around that time as well.”
– Ugh, if that’s the case, it’s certainly odd. Typically, the suspension list gets updated and only then is the suspension notice sent out after a day.
That meant my sanction was executed unusually swiftly and promptly.
While it could be assumed that they were just handling things quickly, given that there are internal regulations, it’s unlikely they would handle it that way without just cause.
– Based on your report, the facts regarding the viewbot use are correct. The management department seems to have seen sufficient evidence.
“But I’ve never used a viewbot program.”
– Hmm… Even if you say that, a permanent suspension only happens when the management department is confident after monitoring, so I’m at a loss on how to respond.
Though politely worded, all I heard was, “It won’t matter if you deny it.”
Honestly, I was enraged, but I also felt like it was just how things were. Maybe it was Seo-ha’s strong trust in me that felt out of place.
“So, you mean there’s nothing you can do right now?”
– Yes, unfortunately… I’m really sorry. However, if it’s confirmed that you really did not use any unauthorized program, the suspension can be lifted.
I couldn’t help but feel like he was asking, “Can you show us proof that you’re innocent?” Maybe I was being overly sensitive in my interpretation.
“… Okay, I understand. If I need to ask anything further, I will reach out again.”
– Yes, I’m sorry I couldn’t be of help.
With that, the call ended blandly, and I sat staring blankly at my monitor for a moment, suddenly jolting as if burned and grabbed my phone again.
I had to inform Seo-ha about the detailed circumstances. Since my channel was suspended and couldn’t be used, I’d have to compose a related notice on YouTube or something.
– Hello, Uju? Did you get in touch with the person in charge? What’s going on?
Seo-ha picked up the phone almost immediately, her voice filled with excitement as she bombarded me with questions.
“I tried contacting them, but it seems there’s not much they can do. The management department declared me a definite viewbot user, and unless I can prove my innocence, it’s going to be difficult…”
– What? What kind of ridiculous processing is that? They’re accusing an innocent person and expecting you to prove you’re innocent?!
“It seems to be that way. I have no idea how to resolve this either…”
I had no idea why I was suspected of using a viewbot, and I didn’t have any means to prove I wasn’t.
Even if I performed a computer forensics and showed them, they might just say, “What if you hired someone else for that?” It was literally a lose-lose situation.
“…I’m sorry for showing you this pathetic side.”
I had to tackle this issue myself, yet here I was, calling Seo-ha entirely unconnected to all of this, whining about my troubles.
I thought I should hang up and finish writing my notice, then start looking for ways to solve this when a voice came from the other side.
– Uju.
The earlier raised tone was gone, replaced by the calm demeanor of Seo-ha.
“Yes, noona.”
– I believe you’re absolutely not that kind of person. No matter what anyone says, you’re my favorite streamer.
She asserted her faith in me without any evidence, saying that she believed in my innocence.
– So don’t give up. Do what you can right now. I will also look for solutions in my own capacity.
“You too?”
I wondered if it was rude to ask, but I couldn’t grasp how she, who was entirely unrelated to this situation, would find a solution.
Was she just offering to help think through it?
Yet there was an undeniable confidence in her voice, much like characters in fantasy novels who possess great power to resolve situations.
– Yes, I will flip Aiver upside down to get you back to where you belong.
“Just your words mean a lot, noona. I don’t want all my hard work to go to waste either, so I’ll do my best.”
– That’s exactly it.
I heard a little giggle from her end, and she soon indicated she had to contact someone urgently, asking for my understanding before hanging up.
Tap tap.
Following her advice, I decided to do my best to write an announcement on YouTube and check for any statistics that might suggest the suspicion of viewbot use.
They might think they have a justified reason to suspend an innocent person, but now I had plenty I wanted to protect, and I couldn’t just back down easily.
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