Chinese blogger jailed for fabricating Xiaomi EV safety video

A Chinese blogger has been sentenced to 20 months in prison for creating and disseminating a fabricated video that falsely alleged safety concerns with Xiaomi's SU7 electric sedan. The ruling, reported by state media on July 17, underscores China's increasing efforts to combat misinformation in its competitive auto industry.

The blogger, known as Gao, was convicted by the Haidian District People’s Court of damaging the reputation of goods by fabricating false facts and intentionally harming the reputation of car maker Xiaomi. In addition to the prison sentence, Gao was fined 100,000 yuan (approximately S$19,800).

The case stems from an August 2024 video that appeared to show the SU7's doors failing to open after a crash test. The clip, which garnered millions of views on Gao's platform, also suggested the vehicle's emergency systems and central control screen malfunctioned. However, the court determined that Gao and his team had covertly tampered with the car's auxiliary battery before filming and used footage of a forklift-damaged battery to mislead the public.

This sentencing follows Xiaomi's announcement in January 2025 that a blogger and accomplices responsible for maliciously smearing the company's auto division had been arrested. Authorities have been intensifying efforts since 2025 to curb false advertising and irregular practices within the auto sector, aiming to prevent misleading claims from distorting consumer perceptions and fair competition.