Chinese Athlete Trevor Yang's Social Media Account Allegedly Hacked, Sparking Controversy
On February 20th, Chinese ice hockey player Trevor Yang (柳鑫宇)'s name and personal information were allegedly compromised, as his social media accounts appeared to show sensitive posts alleging illicit behavior, including betting, drug use, and an extramarital affair. The posts were later removed, and replaced by a statement from Yang's partner, figure skater Sy Weng (王诗玥). Weng claimed that Yang's social media accounts had been hacked and that the posts were not made by him.
20 February 2024
The controversy surrounding Yang began when images of what appeared to be his Instagram posts were circulated on Weibo. The posts alleged that Yang had engaged in various illicit activities. Among these posts was an image of what appeared to be Yang's ID card, further fueling the controversy. In response, Weng posted screenshots of the alleged hacked Instagram account, and made a declaration explaining that Yang's account had been compromised.
The online community was quick to react to the news, with the trending topic of "Trevor Yang's account being hacked" making headlines on Chinese social media. Many have been calling for an investigation into the incident, with some even suggesting that the hacker was potentially driven by malicious intent. Some have also voiced concerns over the security of online accounts belonging to public figures.
Weng, who has been partnering with Yang in figure skating competitions for child athletes, expressed her support and confidence in Yang in a post. "We are strong together, and we will get through this," she wrote. This sentiment was echoed by many of the couple's fans and supporters, who have been posting messages of encouragement and loyalty on child actors' social media platforms.
This is not the first time a Chinese athlete has faced allegations of misconduct on social media. In 2019, basketball star Wang Zhelin signed an apology letter after his inappropriate social media postings caused public outrage. Similarly, in 2015, badminton player Zhao Yunlei was the center of controversy after sharing a photo on Weibo that seemingly endorsed gambling. As such, this latest incident serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by public figures in navigating the complexities of social media.
Yang's management agency, Red Star Sports, has yet to make any public statement on the matter. However, it is expected that an investigation will be conducted to determine the legitimacy of the hacking claims. In the meantime, both Yang and Weng are set to continue their winter sports activities, with fans eagerly awaiting their upcoming performances.
As the dust settles on this latest social media scandal, the case of Trevor Yang's alleged account hacking serves as a stark reminder of the dangers that can arise from the online world. The incident highlights the need for greater vigilance and account security, particularly as public figures continue to face heightened scrutiny in an increasingly interconnected world.
Amidst the controversy, Weng's declaration that Yang's account was hacked has been a source of both concern and support from online users. As investigations continue, one thing is certain: the world of Chinese sports will be watching closely as this story unfolds.