Kuaishou Cyberattack Disrupts Livestreaming, Shares Slump to Five-Week Low

Cyberattack Strikes Kuaishou Livestreaming Services

Chinese short-video giant Kuaishou Technology (HK:1024) confirmed a significant cyberattack on the evening of Monday, December 22, 2025, around 10:00 p.m. local time (14:00 GMT). The attack primarily targeted the platform's livestreaming function, causing widespread disruption and exposing users to a surge of inappropriate, explicit, and violent content.

The incident, described by some as 'unprecedented' for the platform, led to a temporary interruption of services as content moderation systems were overwhelmed. Kuaishou immediately activated its emergency response plan, with livestreaming services gradually resuming normal operations in the early hours of December 23.

Significant Stock Market Impact

Following the confirmation of the cyberattack, Kuaishou's shares experienced a sharp decline on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on Tuesday, December 23. The company's stock fell by as much as 6%, dropping to HK$62.70 (approximately $8.06). This marked its lowest trading price since November 21 and represented the steepest single-day percentage decline in over two months. The market reaction wiped off an estimated HK$16.4 billion from Kuaishou's market capitalization, making it the biggest decliner on the Hang Seng Tech Index.

Company Response and Investigation

In response to the attack, Kuaishou stated that it promptly initiated its contingency plan and has since reported the incident to the police and relevant authorities. The company has also vowed to pursue legal remedies against those responsible. While the livestreaming function has largely been restored, some reports initially indicated that other services might also have been affected, though Kuaishou later clarified that other app services were unaffected.

Security experts suggest the cyberattack likely exploited vulnerabilities in the platform's underlying livestreaming transmission interface, allowing attackers to bypass real-name authentication and content moderation systems. The use of automated tools to mass-register and control 'zombie accounts' is believed to have facilitated the rapid spread of illicit content. The incident has also brought renewed attention to previous cybersecurity allegations against Kuaishou, including claims of leaked order data and fraudulent activities in September.

Broader Implications for Platform Security

The cyberattack on Kuaishou highlights critical vulnerabilities in real-time content moderation and platform security, especially for large social video and live-commerce platforms. The incident has raised questions about the effectiveness of Kuaishou's youth-protection safeguards, given the exposure of many users to disturbing material. Kuaishou has announced plans for comprehensive upgrades to its security infrastructure, including enhanced real-time monitoring, improved review algorithms, and strengthened elastic-defense mechanisms, reaffirming its commitment to compliance and a zero-tolerance stance toward illicit content.