Douyin Bans Over 1,000 AI-Generated Fake Accounts Impersonating Yu Donglai
Douyin removed over 1,000 accounts that used AI voice cloning and image synthesis to impersonate Yu Donglai for fraudulent marketing and sales. A Chinese regulatory authority fined the responsible enterprise 150,000 yuan after finding the scheme violated intellectual property rights and misled consumers.
What happened
In the first quarter of 2025, Douyin detected numerous accounts using AI to impersonate the voice and image of Yu Donglai, a public figure associated with Pang Donglai supermarket chain, for unauthorised marketing and product sales.
Douyin banned over 1,000 accounts operated by fraudulent commercial groups engaged in this activity and reported the findings to regulatory authorities.
Reported impact
The activity violated the intellectual property rights of Pang Donglai and seriously misled consumers.
Index analysis
The impersonation used AI-generated voice cloning and image manipulation to create fake accounts appearing to be endorsed by or associated with Yu Donglai.
Governance controls
Following Douyin's report, the Quanzhou Fengze District Market Regulation Bureau investigated and found the enterprise liable, confiscating its illegal profits and imposing a fine of 150,000 yuan.
Douyin stated it would continue strengthening regulatory efforts and called on users to help monitor and report such violations.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.