Bigo Live
 The logo of Bigo Live | |
Type of site | Live streaming |
|---|---|
| Available in | 23 languages |
| Dissolved | 2024 |
| Owner | Bigo Technology (JOYY) |
| URL | www |
| Commercial | Yes/No |
| Registration | Yes |
| Users | 400 million |
| Launched | March 2016 |
| Current status | Active |
Bigo Live is a global social live streaming platform owned by BIGO Technology based in Singapore,[1][2] which was founded in 2014 by David Li and Jason Hu. As of 2019, Bigo Technology is owned by JOYY.[3][4]
Viewers were able to support their favorite broadcasters with in-app gifts,[5] and some popular broadcasters use the app as a full-time employment.[citation needed] Bigo owns Likee, the short video creation and sharing app.[6][7]
History
David Li was a journalist prior to entering the technology industry, and Jason Hu had worked for many technology companies before the creation of Bigo Technology. In 2014, Bigo was founded in Singapore.[citation needed] In March 2019, Bigo was acquired by JOYY Inc.[8]
In November 2019, monthly active users of the company's apps reached over 350 million globally.[9] In July 2020, Pakistan temporarily banned Bigo, and warned TikTok and YouTube over immoral, obscene, and vulgar content. The Pakistan Telecommunications Authority expressed concerns about the potential negative impact on society, particularly on youth.[10] The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority announced the lifting of the ban on 30 July 2020 following discussions and reassurances regarding content regulation.[11]
In December 2020, Bigo Live announced a partnership with The Trevor Project, the world's largest suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQ youth.[12]
On 13 June 2021, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of Bangladesh Police arrested five people, including Bigo's Operation Manager, a Chinese national, in connection with allegations of money laundering and blackmail. They were charged under the Anti-Money Laundering Act, Digital Security Act and Pornography Prevention Act. [13] Bigo has been actively cooperating with local authorities to address and resolve these issues, reaffirming its commitment to compliance and community standards.
On 8 December 2024, the New York Times published a report on the use of live streaming apps "downloaded from Apple and Google" for paid sexual exploitation of children, including Bigo Live. In a statement to the Times, the company said it had taken "appropriate action" on the cases mentioned in the Times article, "including account suspension and content removal". Bigo said it was "deeply committed to protecting user safety".[14]
Shortly afterwards, Bigo Live was removed from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, though the app continues to function on Android phones on which it was already installed.[15]
References
- ^ "Why young Indians are live streaming on social media?". BBC News. 5 August 2019.
- ^ "Video app TikTok's India download ban worries wider tech industry". Reuters. 17 April 2019.
- ^ "China's YY eyes overseas live streaming with $1.45B Bigo buyout". TechCrunch. 5 March 2019. Archived from the original on 9 April 2023. Retrieved 2 July 2020.
- ^ "YY Announces Completion of Acquisition of Bigo". ir.yy.com. Archived from the original on 30 June 2020. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
- ^ "Apps you've never heard of that your teen is already using". CNN. 25 January 2019.
- ^ "Video app TikTok's India download ban worries wider tech industry". Reuters. 17 April 2019.
- ^ "Likee launches Independence Day campaign for Indians across the globe". The Asian Age. 13 August 2019.
- ^ "YY completes Bigo acquisition to expand overseas reach". Technode.
- ^ "Singapore-based Likee, led by a former factory worker, is gaining ground on TikTok". South China Morning Post. 18 April 2020.
- ^ "Pakistan Warns Chinese TikTok, Blocks Singaporean Bigo Live App". TheDiplomat. 21 July 2020.
- ^ Pakistan Telecommunication Authority lifts ban on Bigo Live PR Newswire, 1 August 2020
- ^ "Today's News". www.dcpsych.org. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
- ^ [1] "The Business Standard", 13 June 2021
- ^ Keller, Michael H. (8 December 2024). "On These Apps, the Dark Promise of Mothers Sexually Abusing Children". The New York Times. Retrieved 12 December 2024.
- ^ "Bigo Live Removed from App Store and Google Play". Pyger APKhub. 9 December 2024. Retrieved 12 December 2024.