Bilibili flags popular vlogger’s content as suspect amid rise in disinformation, scams on Chinese video sites
- Since December, the vlogger has amassed nearly 187,000 followers and his videos on Bilibili have generated a combined 315 million views
- With 172 million monthly active users reported in its first quarter results, Bilibili has become one of China’s biggest video streaming platforms
Chinese streaming video operator Bilibili has put a warning on the channel of a popular vlogger after it launched an investigation into allegations by some users that he is living a relatively affluent lifestyle despite claiming to be a penniless victim of cancer.
Bilibili’s move to label the vlogger Huzi as “controversial” comes after he was outed by members of the public for frequenting restaurants and owning a large apartment while portraying himself in online videos as a broke and terminally ill patient battling cancer.
Many of the channel’s followers are now posting comments on social media asking for a refund of the tips they gave the vlogger.
While an investigation into Huzi’s identity is under way, the Nasdaq-traded company has added a warning to the channel’s front page which says, “The content of this uploader is controversial. Please discern for yourself the content of each video.”
Bilibili’s channel warning also fits a growing trend where social media and video sites worldwide are adopting warnings to alert users of potential disinformation and misinformation. Twitter recently decided to add fact-check labels to some of US President Donald Trump’s tweets while YouTube has been labelling videos posted by Chinese state funded broadcasters like CGTN since 2018.