Two videos showing a couple having sex inside a private room at a Richmond karaoke bar blew up on social media within hours of being posted.
The videos have been posted on numerous Chinese websites and shared widely on WeChat.
In the two leaked video clips, it appears the couple were filmed through a window on the door of the private room.
A manager from Deco Nova, the karaoke bar where the incident apparently took place, told the Richmond News they are aware of the incident but “their store (located on the third floor of Aberdeen Square) has nothing to do with these videos.”
“The incident caused serious damage to our brand reputation. First and foremost, our store doesn’t allow anyone to secretly film videos like this. Secondly, our space is only for people to sing Karaoke, not engage in intimate behaviour. The couple in the video also violated the rules,” said the manager, who didn’t want to give his name.
He added that he was going to demand websites where the videos are currently posted to take them down and pleads with people to quit sharing the content. He’s also trying to figure out who filmed and posted the videos in the first place. However, he said he hadn’t contacted the police yet.
Meanwhile online, some people have been trying to identify the couple by comparing their appearances with some public websites. However, others are calling that out.
It is a violation of privacy and an example of cyberbullying to continue to circulate the videos, some have posted.
Cyberbullying includes sending, posting or sharing negative, harmful, false or mean content about someone else without their consent, according to Canadian government’s website.
“Distributing intimate images and videos without the consent of the person in them is a common form of cyberbullying. It often appears as a form of revenge after a fight or breakup. No matter the reason, this kind of cyberbullying can be devastating to a person's self-esteem, reputation, and mental health. In extreme cases, these acts have played a part in suicidal thoughts and self-harm,” reads the website.
Richmond RCMP received a report that a video containing intimate images was allegedly recorded and "distributed on the internet without consent" at approximately 9:40 p.m. on Apr. 13.
Cpl. Adriana O'Malley, spokesperson for the Richmond RCMP, said police received a report of a video containing intimate images that was allegedly taken without consent and distributed online.
"Richmond RCMP is aware this video has been widely viewed and want to assure the public it is a priority investigation and investigators are working aggressively to identify the person or persons involved," said O'Malley, adding the cybercrime unit is also working on the case.
No further information is available at this time.
