India has urged Bangladesh to take action against Chinese vloggers accused of filming in low-income neighbourhoods of Dhaka and presenting the footage on social media as scenes from New Delhi. It has triggered concerns over misinformation, residents' privacy and diplomatic relations between the two neighbouring countries.
The issue came to public attention after reports emerged that several Chinese content creators had been recording videos in parts of Dhaka, including Uttara Sector 12 and the Tekpara neighbourhood. They livestreamed the footage on Chinese social media platforms while claiming that the locations were in India's capital. The vloggers highlighted poor sanitation, congested streets, unhygienic surroundings and difficult living conditions, portraying these scenes as evidence of conditions in Delhi.
India's Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, raised the issue on November 10, describing the activities as unfortunate and urging the relevant Bangladeshi authorities to take appropriate action against those involved. The incident has raised questions about the possible misuse of social media platforms to spread misleading information and create false impressions about another country.
Residents of the affected neighbourhoods have also expressed frustration over the activities of the foreign content creators. Some say that the vloggers had been filming in residential areas for extended periods, sometimes using multiple mobile phones to livestream their activities. There were also allegations that some content creators entered private homes to record footage, raising concerns about consent and the privacy of local residents. Reports further suggested that local Bangladeshis had been hired to assist the vloggers in navigating the neighbourhoods and arranging filming activities. However, the extent of the operation and the number of people involved remain unclear.
The controversy highlights how social media content can cross national boundaries and potentially influence public perceptions of countries and communities. Presenting footage from Dhaka as if it were recorded in Delhi could mislead viewers, particularly those unfamiliar with the locations shown. Such content may also reinforce inaccurate stereotypes about urban poverty and living conditions.
However, questions remain about the identities of the individuals involved, their motivations and whether their activities were part of any coordinated operation. There is currently no independently established evidence confirming that the vloggers were acting under the direction of any government or organised campaign.
India's appeal places the issue before Bangladeshi authorities, who may need to examine whether the reported filming involved violations of privacy, unauthorised entry into private properties or other applicable laws. At the same time, any response would need to distinguish between legitimate content creation and activities involving deception, misrepresentation or violations of residents' rights. The controversy also raises broader questions about the responsibilities of social media platforms and content creators when producing material about foreign countries and communities.
As for Bangladesh, the matter is not simply about how its neighbourhoods are portrayed internationally. It also concerns the protection of its own citizens' privacy and the prevention of misleading representations that could create unnecessary diplomatic tensions.
