Kuaishou-W (1024.HK) faced a cyberattack that disrupted its live streaming services. On the evening of December 22, users reported a surge of explicit content flooding the platform's live streams, leading to mass suspensions. By midnight, the "Live" section of the Kuaishou app was completely empty.

The company responded swiftly, attributing the incident to an attack by black and gray market operators. Kuaishou stated it had initiated emergency protocols, reported the matter to authorities, and filed a police report. By midday on December 23, Kuaishou announced via the Hong Kong Stock Exchange that its live streaming functionality was gradually being restored.

Angel investor and AI expert Guo Tao noted that the attack exploited both technical vulnerabilities and operational loopholes. Attackers bypassed identity verification and content moderation by using automated tools to flood the platform with pre-recorded illicit content via bot accounts. This overwhelmed Kuaishou's defenses, highlighting a critical gap in its security infrastructure.

By market close on December 23, Kuaishou's stock price fell 3.52% to HK$64.35, wiping out HK$55.4 billion in market capitalization.

**The Attack Details** Around 10 PM on December 22, users observed a coordinated wave of explicit broadcasts, including pornographic material and suggestive performances. Some streams attracted over 100,000 viewers before being taken down. Reports indicated that attackers used newly registered or dormant accounts to launch synchronized broadcasts, evading detection.

Kuaishou's emergency response included mass content removal and temporary shutdowns, with services fully restored by 2 AM the next day. The company reiterated its zero-tolerance stance on违规 content and confirmed police involvement.

Cybersecurity experts labeled the incident a "P0-level" breach—the most severe category—requiring top-level intervention. Analysts pointed to the attackers' use of automation to bypass traditional defenses, exposing weaknesses in Kuaishou's real-time moderation systems.

**Broader Implications** This incident underscores the escalating sophistication of cyber threats against digital platforms. Despite Kuaishou's investments in AI moderation and a 10,000-strong review team, the attack revealed vulnerabilities in its hybrid human-algorithm model. Industry observers suggest that platforms must adopt more dynamic defenses to counter automated threats.

**Business Context** Kuaishou, with 416 million daily active users, reported robust Q3 2025 earnings: revenue up 12.8% YoY to RMB103.2 billion, with adjusted net profit rising 16.7% to RMB15.2 billion. Its AI-driven ad business and e-commerce growth were key drivers.

In the aftermath, Kuaishou posted urgent job openings for security roles, offering monthly salaries up to RMB60,000. The move signals intensified efforts to fortify its defenses amid evolving cyber risks.

The incident raises critical questions about balancing platform openness with security—a challenge facing the entire tech industry.