IShowSpeed sued for allegedly punching, choking humanoid influencer Rizzbot
What's the story
Popular streamer Darren Watkins Jr., aka IShowSpeed, has been sued by the creators of Rizzbot, a popular humanoid influencer. The lawsuit was filed in November by Social Robotics. It accuses Speed and his management company, Mixed Management, of causing "irreparable damage" to their creation during a live-streamed meeting in September. The incident has led to legal action and discussions about accountability in interactions with advanced robotic creations.
Allegations
Rizzbot's creators allege physical abuse by iShowSpeed
The lawsuit alleges that Speed physically assaulted Rizzbot, who has over a million followers and 800 million views on social media. The creators claim that Speed punched Rizzbot in the face multiple times, put it in a chokehold, pinned it to the couch, and threw it on the ground. They argue that Speed knew these actions were inappropriate for an advanced robot and would cause irreparable damage to Rizzbot.
Damage assessment
Compensation sought for damages
The lawsuit contends that Speed's actions resulted in a "complete loss of functionality" for Rizzbot, with significant damage to its mouth and neck. The head cameras no longer work, the ports behind the neck that connect to sensors are dead, and Rizzbot is unstable and can't walk straight anymore. The creators are seeking compensation for actual and lost profit but did not disclose how much they are asking for.
Legal proceedings
Austin police involved in the case
The Austin Police were called to the scene after the incident. The responding officer noted damage to Rizzbot without the owner's "implied consent" and that they wanted to press charges. An investigation is ongoing. Social Robotics's lawyer, Joel Levine, said the lawsuit was filed after talks with Speed's team about compensating for Rizzbot's damage stalled, adding that they are looking for accountability in this case.
Financial impact
Rizzbot's creators claim loss of economic opportunities
The lawsuit also claims that due to the destruction caused by Speed, the team behind Rizzbot has missed out on economic opportunities. This is because Rizzbot can't participate in high-profile appearances and deals, including upcoming ones with CBS's The NFL Today and MrBeast. The creators argue that this incident has been a huge setback for Rizzbot in terms of viral momentum and financial gain from exposure.
Viewership decline
Significant drop in viewership post-incident
In the month before the livestream, Rizzbot had over 600 million views on TikTok and 200 million on Instagram. However, in the 28 days after the incident, it couldn't create new content and saw a more than 70% drop in viewership. The creators argue that this "intentional destruction" of Rizzbot caused significant financial damage, impacting its ability to capitalize on social media's viral nature.