A Night of Revelations: Unmasking Consumer Exploitation
China’s annual 3·15 Consumer Rights Day Gala, themed "Building Integrity, Boosting Consumption" in 2025, exposed widespread violations across industries, from toxic food practices to predatory digital scams. The event, backed by 16 government agencies, highlighted systemic failures in regulation and corporate accountability, urging stronger safeguards for consumers.
Food Safety Scandals: From Fake Cotton to Toxic Shrimp
The gala revealed shocking gaps in food and hygiene standards:
Rebranded Hygiene Products: Companies in Shandong’s Liangshan County repackaged defective diapers and sanitary pads from brands like Mamicoco and Free, selling them online without sterilization. Waste materials were recycled into raw materials, risking infections.
Deceptive Seafood: Frozen shrimp sold by companies like Liangji Frozen Foods contained excessive phosphate additives (up to 145% over limits) to retain water weight. A 1-pound pack shrank to 3 ounces after thawing, while hidden chemicals posed long-term health risks.
Counterfeit Underwear: Factories in Henan’s Shangqiu falsely labeled polyester-based disposable underwear as "pure cotton" and skipped sterilization. Workers sprayed toxic quick-dry agents to mask defects.
Digital Fraud: High-Interest Loans and Fake Prizes
Predatory lending and online scams targeted vulnerable groups:
"E-Signature" Loan Traps: Platforms like Jiedaibao and Renrenxin enabled illegal lenders to issue loans with hidden "service fees." Borrowers received only 30–50% of the loan amount but were forced to repay the full sum, with annualized interest rates reaching 6,000%.
Rigged Lottery Scams: Nuonuo Network lured users with fake "200-yuan phone credit coupons," requiring excessive top-ups. Similarly, cheap liquor worth 63 yuan was marketed as "premium" products priced at 4,700 yuan.
Privacy Under Siege: Data Theft and AI Harassment
Tech companies exploited loopholes to harvest personal data:
Big Data Profiteering: Firms like Yunqi Intelligence and Lvxin Tech used crawler software to steal user comments, live-streaming data, and even real-time telecom records. Stolen phone numbers and shopping habits were sold to marketers.
AI Spam Calls: Zhiyouqing Network deployed AI robots to make millions of daily sales calls, evading anti-spam regulations by mimicking human voices.
Service Scams: From Broken Repairs to Emotional Traps
"Repair Pirates": Woodpecker Home Maintenance, China’s largest appliance repair platform, trained workers to overcharge customers. A 20-yuan part replacement cost 250 yuan, with 60% of fees going to the platform.
Elderly Exploitation: Live-stream sellers forged overseas product labels and used emotional manipulation to pressure seniors into buying low-quality goods.
The Road Ahead: Accountability and Consumer Vigilance
The exposé underscored two critical issues: platform complicity (e.g., lenders and tech firms evading oversight) and regulatory gaps (e.g., outdated laws for emerging scams). Experts urged consumers to verify certifications, scrutinize contracts, and report violations. Meanwhile, authorities pledged stricter penalties and real-time monitoring systems.
As one commentator noted: "Trust is the foundation of consumption—when companies poison it, everyone loses."