Chinese web merchants are using African children to advertise search engines and camgirls

Chinese vendors are facing backlash for selling customized photos and videos featuring African children via Chinese online marketplace Taobao. As reported by Beijing Youth Daily, these photos and videos have recently become popular as a way to deliver messages for birthdays and other meaningful occasions. They can be purchased for as little as $1, similar to services offered on freelance marketplace Fiverr. While some Chinese netizens are voicing concern over the unethical nature of the photos and videos, others appear to have no issue with the service. One person wrote on Chinese media website The Paper: “These Africans help to advertise, have also been rewarded, and have not been forced, what is the problem?” Shanghaiist, the international division of blog Gothamist, shared the story with the caption, “Racist? Exploitative? Or just good marketing?” –The Verge/