Chinese EV giant BYD has launched legal action against 37 online influencers for allegedly spreading defamatory and misleading information. With an additional 126 accounts under internal surveillance, the company’s clampdown reflects a growing trend of corporations fighting back against digital reputational harm. Yet, the legal blitz comes as BYD itself faces severe human rights allegations in Brazil, intensifying scrutiny over the automaker’s practices at home and abroad.
BYD’s Legal Defence: Cracking Down on Online Defamation
In a rare and aggressive move, Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer BYD has declared legal war on a group of online influencers, accusing them of spreading false and defamatory content. In an official statement on its WeChat channel, BYD’s legal department announced that it has filed lawsuits against 37 influencer accounts and placed 126 others under active monitoring.
The company alleges these influencers have been systematically disseminating misleading content about BYD, impacting its brand image and potentially disrupting the broader automotive market. BYD has also launched a reward program for verifiable tips related to defamation campaigns, further indicating the seriousness of the initiative.
Li Yunfei, General Manager of BYD’s Branding and PR division, in his statement, stated that they welcome media criticism and public oversight, but they will not tolerate defamation or false accusations.
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A Battle on Two Fronts: Brazil Factory Probe Alleges Labour Rights Violations
Even as BYD wages a digital battle against online defamation, the company finds itself entangled in a far graver crisis overseas. Brazil’s Public Labour Prosecutor’s Office (MPT) has initiated legal proceedings against BYD and two of its contractors for allegedly subjecting 220 Chinese workers to “slave-like” conditions at a factory in the northeastern state of Bahia.
According to the BBC, the workers were recently rescued, and a formal investigation is underway. The MPT has demanded $45.5 million in damages, citing violations of labour and human rights laws. The case has the potential to severely dent BYD’s international reputation, especially as it seeks to expand its manufacturing footprint in Latin America and beyond.
While BYD has not publicly responded to the Brazil allegations in detail, the legal storm there threatens to undermine its claims of corporate integrity and ethical governance, core tenets it has emphasised in defending its actions against influencers.
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Free Speech vs. Defamation
BYD’s legal crackdown underscores a growing tension in the digital era: how corporations balance protecting their reputations with respecting public discourse. Critics argue that legal threats against online influencers could have a chilling effect on free expression, especially in authoritarian regimes. Meanwhile, companies contend that unchecked misinformation can severely damage brand value and mislead consumers.
BYD’s claim that the attacks are “organized” or “coordinated” adds a layer of complexity, though it has not yet provided public evidence to support these allegations. Nevertheless, its actions align with a broader trend of companies taking a more aggressive posture toward online content creators who wield growing influence over public perception.
As BYD tries to position itself as a global EV powerhouse, its twin battles, in digital courts and human rights tribunals, will shape not just its future but also the evolving norms of corporate accountability in the age of information warfare.
About the author – Prakriti Jha is a student at National Forensic Sciences University, Gandhinagar, currently pursuing B.Sc. LL.B (Hons.) with a keen interest in the intersection of law and data science. She is passionate about exploring how legal frameworks adapt to the evolving challenges of technology and justice.