NBC News Finds 49 Douyin Accounts Spreading Pleco Torture Videos Across Social Media
Updated
Updated · NBC News · May 24
NBC News Finds 49 Douyin Accounts Spreading Pleco Torture Videos Across Social Media
2 articles · Updated · NBC News · May 24
Summary
At least 49 Douyin accounts were spreading “LabGerm” pleco fish torture videos, according to an NBC News review that traced a broader stream of posts reposted across TikTok, Instagram and Facebook.
Millions of views have followed because the clips function as rage bait: some appear partly AI-generated, others show real animals in distress, and outrage, reaction videos and comments help push them further.
TikTok said it removed all accounts flagged by NBC News for violating animal-abuse rules, yet searches in mid-May still found more than 20 imitator accounts, while Meta did not comment and many Douyin posts remained up.
Peter Li and Nicola O’Brien said the trend has persisted for months, aided by AI tools, weak sympathy for fish and China’s lack of a nationwide animal-cruelty law, underscoring how engagement-driven platforms still struggle to curb abuse content.
As algorithms are designed to profit from outrage, can platforms ever truly stop the spread of animal cruelty?
When animal torture videos cross borders but laws do not, who is ultimately responsible for justice?
"LabGerm" Misinformation Surges Past 500 Million Views: The Ongoing Battle Against Viral Disinformation on Social Media
Overview
The 'LabGerm' phenomenon began in late 2023, spreading misleading and fabricated content about lab-created pathogens. This trend uses graphic imagery, sensational claims, and AI-generated deepfake videos to make false stories seem real, exploiting public fears about health and safety. As a result, it causes widespread panic and confusion, while also undermining trust in scientific research and health authorities. TikTok was the main platform for the initial spread, but the content quickly moved to other social media sites. Despite efforts to remove it, 'LabGerm' continues to evolve and remains a persistent challenge.