A group of Chinese nationals have been livestreaming from low-income neighbourhoods in Dhaka for several months, allegedly presenting the locations as parts of New Delhi, India, according to reports in Bangladeshi media. The activity has been reported mainly in Sector 12 of Uttara, Dhaka and the nearby Tekpara area, where local residents estimate that more than 150 Chinese nationals are involved in filming streets, markets and residential areas of Dhaka.

 

According to a report by Bangladeshi newspapers the livestreamers carry two mobile phones and record videos throughout the day. Some have reportedly entered people’s homes to film, raising concerns among residents over privacy and unauthorised recording.

 

An analysis of the Chinese-language broadcasts, translated and verified by four Bangladeshis familiar with the language, reportedly found that some livestreamers described their location as New Delhi while making derogatory remarks about local residents and living conditions. The activities have raised questions among residents about the purpose of the livestreams, the use of recorded footage and the privacy of local communities.