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| 👁 Image The logo of Bigo Live | |
Type of site | Live streaming |
|---|---|
| Available in | 23 languages |
| Owner | Bigo Technology (JOYY) |
| Founder | David Li |
| URL | www.bigo.tv 👁 Edit this at Wikidata |
| Commercial | Yes/No |
| Registration | Yes |
| Launched | February 2018; 8 years ago (2018-02) |
| Current status | Active |
Bigo Live is a global social live streaming platform. As of 2019, Bigo Technology is owned by Joyy Inc.[1]
Viewers are able to support broadcasters through in-app gifts.[2][3] Bigo also owns Likee, a short video editing and hosting app.[4]
History
[edit]Bigo was launched in February 2018 and on iOS and Android platforms.[5][6][7]
The app was removed from Apple's App Store globally on 9 April 2023. It remained accessible on Play Store, and the company did not publicly comment on the removal. Chinese media reports suggested the removal may have been related to violations with advertising regulations, which include some user privacy protections.[8]
A December 2024 report from The New York Times discussed the use of live-streaming apps "downloaded from Apple and Google" for paid sexual exploitation of children, with Bigo Live being named among the others. Bigo Live was removed from Google's Play Store shortly since. and federal investigation was launched into the potential child sexual abuse and its related contents on the platform.[9]
Controversies
[edit]In 2020, CNN investigation reported that the short sellers estimated that about “90% of the revenue that Joyy/Bigo has reported from YY Live is fraudulent." CNN also reported that many of those paying users are actually computer bots that can be linked to Joyy’s internet servers. “Joyy is almost entirely fraudulent,” Muddy Waters founder Carson Block said to CNN, “Almost everything in terms of revenue, profits and paying users is fake.”[10]
In July 2020, Pakistan temporarily banned Bigo, and warned TikTok and YouTube over immoral, obscene, and vulgar content. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority expressed concerns about the potential negative impact on society, particularly on youth. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority announced the lifting of the ban on 30 July 2020 following discussions and reassurances regarding content regulation.[11]
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.[11]
Over 1000+ verified users at Trust pilot alleged fraud, stolen funds, and also voiced concerns about moderation, inappropriate content, and the potential for scams.[12]
References
[edit]- ^ "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.
- ^ "Apps you've never heard of that your teen is already using". CNN. 25 January 2019.
- ^ "Tech in Asia - Connecting Asia's startup ecosystem". www.techinasia.com. Retrieved 5 May 2025.
- ^ "Likee launches Independence Day campaign for Indians across the globe". The Asian Age. 13 August 2019.
- ^ "Tech in Asia - Connecting Asia's startup ecosystem". www.techinasia.com. Retrieved 5 May 2025.
- ^ Writers, KrASIA (6 June 2018). "Interview with Bigo: How a Chinese live streaming service successfully replicated itself in Southeast Asia markets". KrASIA. Retrieved 5 May 2025.
- ^ Ludbe, Gauri (11 June 2024). "Building a Creator-Centric Ecosystem: Tony Zhu Discusses Unicorn BIGO Technology's Strategies". AsiaTechDaily - Asia's Leading Tech and Startup Media Platform. Retrieved 5 May 2025.
- ^ "Social Livestreaming Platform Bigo Live Removed From App Store". Archived from the original on 5 October 2025. Retrieved 22 December 2025.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Pham, Sherisse (19 November 2020). "Joyy rejects short-seller fraud claim that sent its shares plunging | CNN Business". CNN. Retrieved 23 December 2025.
- ^ a b "Likee, Bigo Live apps used to launder over Tk100cr: CID". The Business Standard. 13 June 2021.
- ^ "BIGO LIVE is rated "Poor" with 2.6 / 5 on Trustpilot". Trustpilot. 2 November 2025. Retrieved 23 December 2025.