How a YouTube Personality Unmasks Anonymous Critics

Issue #255 | July 16, 2024

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This week, we have another wild story from the drama-tuber scene. Reporter Steven Asarch spoke with some of the biggest creators in the YouTube commentary space — SomeOrdinaryGamers and the Internet Anarchist — as well as a smaller channel, the Dark Company, to discuss their experiences with a notorious YouTuber known as TechLead.

For the uninitiated, TechLead is run by Patrick Shyu, who started the channel in 2016 and claims to be a former software engineer at Google and Facebook. Shyu is known for basically being a caricature of the tech-bro-misogynist, saying things like “no one asked for women programmers” and that he “rejected all women on the spot and trashed their résumés in front of them” while working at Google.

In an interview, Shyu told Passionfruit that TechLead is just a “fictional persona built to gain attention” and that anyone watching should “take his words with a grain or large amount of salt.” But as Steven puts it in his piece, “Shyu’s other controversies cannot be explained away as a mustachio-twirling villain for clicks.”

Though Shyu claims to be “not against constructive forms of criticism or free speech,” he has sent copyright notices to three YouTubers who have created critical content about him. Shyu has also been pretty open about using YouTube’s copyright system to get anonymous creators’ names and identities.

In short, the story shows how easily YouTube’s copyright system can potentially be exploited to affect all creators, big and small. Read more about it below.

– Grace Stanley, Deputy Editor

PERSONALITIES

Multiple Creators Accuse YouTuber TechLead of Copyright Abuse

‘He’s been abusing this tool for a while, and I think it’s time that YouTube takes some sort of action.’

By Steven Asarch, Passionfruit Contributor

Man in front of electronic waste background

→ READ THE FULL STORY

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IN THE BIZ

YouTube temporarily removed the “reveal email” feature from users’ accounts, but it appears that it is back.
The newly formed European Influencer Marketing Alliance (EIMA) is aiming to build trust between consumers, brands, and creators across Europe.
VidCon Baltimore, an East Coast convention for creators scheduled for September, was canceled suddenly.
A hacktivist group coordinated a massive leak of Disney’s Slack messages, in an attempt to raise awareness for artist and creator rights.

CULTURE

Creators Shill Merch and Fan-Fic In Wake of Trump Assassination Attempt

‘It’s a lot easier to deal with a democracy in shambles if you have a silly escape.’

By Charlotte Colombo, Passionfruit Contributor

READ THE FULL S TORY →

TIPS & TRICKS

How To Change Your TikTok Username When You Need To Rebrand

Here’s what happens when your swap your TikTok username for something fresh.

By Rachel Kiley, Passionfruit Contributor

READ THE FULL STORY →

JOB BOARD

The New Beginnings Creator Network is looking for a TikTok Live host in Los Angeles.
Dude Perfect is looking for a Content Producer in Frisco, Texas.
MrBeast is looking for a Casting Producer in Greenville, North Carolina.
Hello Fresh is looking for a Social Media Manager.

YOUTUBE MADE ME DO IT

Star Wars reactor Catherine LaSalle joins the Reactorverse Podcast to share her journey — from reacting to fan edits to appearing on Howard Stern — during the Disney+ era of Star Wars TV.

LaSalle also discusses her early days as a creator, unexpected opportunities, and the ongoing issue of toxicity in online fandoms.

Be sure to subscribe to the Passionfruit YouTube channel so you don’t miss an episode! If you’d prefer to listen in audio form, we also have a podcast feed. And if you want to catch the episodes early, join us on Patreon!