Ex-convict influencers' rise on Chinese social media sparks public controversy

By Phong Ngo September 24, 2025 | 12:05 am PT

Former inmates in China are attracting large followings on social media, fueling debate over whether their content glorifies crime or offers lessons in rehabilitation.

Xiao, a former banker, began posting on Douyin, China’s version of TikTok, on Aug. 19, just weeks after his release from prison. He had been convicted of illegally absorbing client funds worth more than 2.7 billion yuan (US$376 million) from 147 investors, sentenced to nine years, and fined 90,000 yuan, according to Chinese publication Sixth Stone.

Within days, Xiao’s following grew to more than 37,000 before the platform deleted his account. In a livestream on Aug. 26, marking his 20th day of freedom, he said: "When I (was released), I had nothing to my name." On the same day, Douyin announced his account had been banned for using prison experiences to gain attention, with all posts removed, Channel News Asia reported.

The TikTok logo displayed on a smartphone, June 10, 2024. Photo by AFP

Although no rules explicitly bar former inmates from social media, their rising presence has stirred criticism. State media outlets accused some of "glorifying" crimes for clicks. In an Aug. 27 commentary, Chinese newspaper the People’s Daily said some former prisoners exploited their past as contentto attract attention, crossing legal boundaries and undermining public order. However, it added that those who share vocational skills or entrepreneurial experiences are "worth advocating."

"True self-reliance and reintegration into society are not achieved by monetising traffic from ‘criminal record marketing’ - but through legal and honest labor."

Some ex-convict influencers have found strong support online. Viewers hail them as "truth-tellers" with compelling stories, and platforms chasing traffic have allowed such content to spread.

Xu Jian, an associate professor at Deakin University in Victoria, said prison life has long been a cultural trope and its secrecy adds to public fascination. Xu noted that most influencers with criminal records avoid glorifying crime, instead framing their stories as lessons in "positive energy." He said stricter regulation is likely but added such content is unlikely to disappear entirely.