Chinese food vendor sparks ‘camera bullying’ debate after vloggers portray her as ‘evil granny’

A 92-year-old snack vendor in Chengdu, China, has ignited a nationwide debate over online harassment after vloggers deliberately provoked her, portraying her as a "villainous grandmother." This incident echoes a similar case last November, where tourists filmed an elderly woman on a train, despite her discomfort. The term "camera bullying" refers to the act of filming individuals without consent for online views, sparking concerns about emotional harm.

This issue extends beyond China's borders, with a popular TikTok prank involving "flip the camera" and secretly recording passers-by. The latest controversy centers around grandmother Xue, a Chengdu vendor selling egg-baked pancakes, who lost her son to illness. Despite working 15 hours a day and earning up to 20,000 yuan (US$3,000) monthly, Xue faces criticism for overcharging and hygiene concerns.

She admits her attitude could be improved, but vloggers took advantage of her reputation, filming her without buying food and provoking her with comments and gestures. Xue shouted "Don't film me" while attempting to shield herself. Internet authorities later shut down two social media accounts for violating her privacy rights. This case raises questions about online content creation boundaries in China, with concerns about privacy rights, evidence gathering, legal awareness, and litigation costs.

Some argue there is no privacy in public places, but legal experts caution against this assertion, emphasizing that personal rights remain intact even in public.