China social media account banned for forcing women to stay in tank with crocodile

A Chinese social media account with over 11 million followers, @Yebali (Night Paris), has been permanently banned after it was exposed for forcing young female live-streamers, some appearing under 18, into a tank containing a crocodile. The account, which had been active for five years, also reportedly made the women hold their breath underwater. Disturbing footage shows a teenage girl having her head forcibly pushed under water despite her pleas to stop, with fellow streamers telling her not to worry because the crocodile would not bite. This violates Chinese law that prohibits minors from hosting live-streams.

The ban follows growing scrutiny of extreme content on Chinese social media platforms, where accounts often resort to dangerous or degrading stunts to attract viewers and generate revenue. The case highlights the risks posed to young women and minors in the live-streaming industry, where they are exploited for entertainment. The platform's action to permanently ban @Yebali signals a crackdown on such harmful practices, but raises questions about the effectiveness of content moderation and the protection of vulnerable individuals in the digital space.