Chinese short-video platform Kuaishou, a major domestic rival to TikTok and Douyin, recently suffered a significant cybersecurity breach that exposed users to inappropriate and abusive content during live streaming sessions. The incident reportedly lasted for nearly 90 minutes, during which viewers encountered material that violated platform guidelines and national content regulations. The disruption raised serious concerns about the growing sophistication of cyberattacks targeting major digital platforms.
According to early investigations, the attack was powered by artificial intelligence and automated systems, enabling hackers to overwhelm Kuaishou’s infrastructure at scale. Preliminary findings suggested that the operation was highly coordinated and complex, prompting speculation that the attackers may have been state-funded actors operating from Western nations. While no definitive attribution has been confirmed, experts noted that the technical precision of the breach pointed to advanced capabilities rather than isolated criminal activity.
Kuaishou responded swiftly once the issue was detected. The company immediately took down the offensive live streams and removed all adult and violent content from its servers. In addition, it launched remediation measures to reassure users and prevent further exposure. The platform also issued a public apology to its live-streaming audience, acknowledging the disruption experienced by approximately 85 million active live-stream users out of its total user base of more than 416 million.
Further details emerged through a statement published by China Daily, which reported that a hacking group had deployed approximately 17,000 automated bot accounts as part of the attack. These bots were used to manipulate server functions and forcibly broadcast prohibited content across live channels. The report indicated that the attackers relied on automated software tools to bypass content moderation systems, highlighting vulnerabilities that even large technology platforms may face despite existing safeguards.
The findings were later supported by QAX, a Hong Kong-based cybersecurity firm, which endorsed the assessment that the attack relied heavily on automation and artificial intelligence. Cybersecurity analysts emphasized that such incidents demonstrate how malicious actors are increasingly using AI to amplify the speed, scale, and impact of digital attacks, making detection and prevention more challenging for platform operators.
Notably, the timing of the attack attracted additional attention. The breach occurred during a period when Chinese authorities, under President Xi Jinping’s leadership, were emphasizing amendments to laws that impose stricter bans on the distribution of explicit and harmful content online. This coincidence led some observers to speculate that the cyberattack may have been intended as a retaliatory or symbolic act against China’s tightening digital regulations.
Overall, the incident underscores the evolving nature of cybersecurity threats in the era of artificial intelligence. It also highlights the importance of robust content moderation systems, rapid incident response, and international cooperation in addressing complex cyber risks that increasingly affect global digital platforms.
Join our LinkedIn group Information Security Community!
