Around 150 Chinese nationals have allegedly been livestreaming from low-income neighbourhoods in Dhaka, Bangladesh, while presenting the locations to online viewers as parts of New Delhi, India.
A ground investigation by Bangladeshi newspaper Prothom Alo, published on November 6, 2026, identified the activity in Sector 12 of Uttara and the adjoining Tekpara area, where streamers have reportedly been filming for several months.
The broadcasts, carried out using two mobile phones, allegedly feature misleading location claims and derogatory remarks about residents, their homes and living conditions. Residents have also raised concerns about streamers entering private homes and recording people without permission.
While one Chinese national reportedly described the broadcasts as product-promotion activities, their wider purpose remains unclear. Uttara West Police have acknowledged the activity and informed senior authorities. Meanwhile, on November 10, Indian official sources described the alleged activity as a coordinated anti-India campaign, bringing greater attention to concerns over digital misinformation and cross-border online narratives.
Misleading Livestreams
According to the Prothom Alo investigation, Chinese nationals have been regularly seen walking through the narrow streets, residential lanes and markets of Uttara’s Sector 12 and Tekpara, filming their surroundings from morning until late at night.
Local residents estimate that more than 150 Chinese nationals have been involved, although the actual number has not been officially established. The streamers reportedly carry two mobile phones, using one to livestream while referring to information displayed on the other.
An examination of selected Chinese-language broadcasts reportedly found that some individuals identified the locations as New Delhi, despite recording in Dhaka. During a livestream on November 1, a Chinese woman identified as Mianmian, who introduced herself as being from China’s Sichuan province, allegedly described the neighbourhood as New Delhi and made disparaging remarks about its houses and living conditions.
In another broadcast, a Chinese national identified as Wang Wei reportedly described tea consumed by local residents as being made using cow urine and contaminated river water. The newspaper used Google Translate to interpret portions of the broadcasts and cross-checked the translations with four Bangladeshis familiar with Chinese. These translations and their context should be understood as findings reported by the investigation, rather than independently established facts about the neighbourhood or its residents.
Residents Raise Concerns
Beyond the misleading location claims, the investigation has highlighted concerns about privacy and the treatment of residents being filmed.
Some locals alleged that the streamers entered their homes and recorded people without seeking permission, with complaints extending to private spaces such as bathrooms. Resident Rozina Khatun told Prothom Alo that the streamers sometimes entered homes and began filming without considering whether occupants were appropriately dressed.
Another resident, Papia Begum, also alleged that some individuals had entered bathrooms. Residents said that although some streamers apologised when confronted, they often returned to the neighbourhood and continued recording.
The investigation also found that local people were helping the visitors navigate the area. Ritu Akhter, a Bangladeshi woman working as a guide, told the newspaper that she earned between Tk 700 and Tk 800 a day for assisting the Chinese nationals. She also indicated that other local women were involved in similar work.
When journalists visited the neighbourhood on October 27 and November 3 and approached 17 Chinese nationals, most declined to explain their activities. One individual, identified as Fangyou, told the newspaper that the livestreams were connected to product promotion on WeChat.
However, he did not provide a detailed explanation of why these particular neighbourhoods were selected or how the footage was being presented to viewers. The distinction matters: commercial content creation has been cited as an explanation, but it does not resolve the allegations of misleading broadcasts or filming without consent.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The incident raises important questions about the responsibilities that come with creating and distributing content across borders. Digital platforms have made it easier than ever to document unfamiliar places and share everyday experiences with audiences worldwide.
However, when locations are allegedly misrepresented and residents are portrayed through derogatory commentary, content creation risks becoming a tool for distorting public perceptions rather than building understanding. Equally concerning are allegations that people living in economically disadvantaged neighbourhoods have been filmed inside their homes without meaningful consent. Poverty should never become an excuse to treat someone’s life, home or dignity as freely available content.
At the same time, allegations of a coordinated campaign must be investigated through credible evidence, transparent official inquiries and accountability rather than speculation or hostility towards people based on their nationality.
The reported police response and the latest statements from Indian official sources make it important for the relevant authorities to establish who is producing these broadcasts, where the footage is being distributed and whether any laws have been violated. The issue also calls for stronger awareness around digital privacy, informed consent and responsible content creation.
India and Bangladesh share deep cultural and social connections, and misleading portrayals should not be allowed to deepen mistrust between ordinary people. Ultimately, the internet should help communities understand one another, not turn their vulnerabilities into material for misleading narratives. How can authorities and digital platforms protect people’s privacy while ensuring that online content does not become a vehicle for misinformation and cross-border hostility?
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