The meteoric rise of livestreaming commerce in China faces renewed scrutiny as popular influencer "Crazy Little Yang" finds himself embroiled in controversy. The influencer, with over 100 million followers, recently made headlines for purchasing a luxury property worth millions, only to face allegations of selling counterfeit products during his livestream sales.
Consumer Watchdog Targets Top Livestreamer
Wang Hai, a prominent consumer rights activist known for exposing the "bird's nest syrup" scandal involving influencer Xinba in 2020, has turned his attention to "Crazy Little Yang." On November 12, Wang publicly accused the influencer of selling substandard food processors and meat grinders that allegedly carried falsified power specifications.
Wang called for consumers to seek compensation under China's consumer protection laws, demanding refunds plus triple damages. The allegations quickly gained traction on social media, with related hashtags trending on Weibo.
Influencer Denies Allegations, Suggests Motives Questioned
In a November 14 livestream, "Crazy Little Yang" responded indirectly to the allegations, suggesting the accusations might be motivated by attempts to capitalize on his popularity. "In the online world, people know who has the most traffic and will try to ride that wave," he stated, adding that he stood by his products and would address any issues promptly.
Wang countered these remarks the following day, presenting what he claimed was evidence that the products not only had mislabeled specifications but might also carry counterfeit safety certifications.
Technical Specifications at Center of Dispute
According to test reports shared by Wang, two products sold during "Crazy Little Yang's" livestreams—a blender and meat grinder from brand Jinzheng—allegedly carried significantly inflated power ratings. The blender was labeled as 300W but reportedly measured at 105W, while the meat grinder's actual 120W output fell short of its advertised 300W rating.
The manufacturer, Jinzheng Household Appliances, issued a statement explaining that the 300W rating represented total system power consumption, while the lower figures reflected only motor output. The company maintained all products met national certification standards.
Sales Continue Amid Controversy
Despite the growing controversy, "Crazy Little Yang's" commercial success appears unaffected. Data shows his November 15 livestream generated between $3.5-$7 million in sales across 92 products, while adding nearly 500,000 new followers. His unique blend of family-oriented humor and exaggerated product demonstrations continues to draw massive audiences.
The disputed products were sold as part of a $56 kitchen appliance bundle that moved approximately 68,000 units. If Wang's claims are validated, the potential refund liability could exceed $10 million.
Industry Faces Growing Scrutiny
The incident has prompted broader discussions about oversight in China's booming livestreaming commerce sector. State media outlet Securities Times commented on November 16 that top influencers should respond more transparently to consumer concerns, warning that ignoring such issues could ultimately erode public trust.
As the industry continues its rapid expansion, balancing growth with consumer protection remains an ongoing challenge for platforms, influencers, and regulators alike.