Marques Brownlee, also known as MKBHD, has faced criticism after a recent video showed him driving well above the speed limit. The video, titled "How My Video Gear is Changing!" and sponsored by a camera company, featured a segment where Brownlee drove at 96 mph in a children’s zone with a 35-mph speed limit to showcase the camera’s capabilities.
He edited the video to remove the portion where he sped. Although the footage was later removed, screenshots of the blurred speedometer went viral, leading to widespread backlash on social media and YouTube. After this Streisand effect, Brownlee took to his X on November 13, 2024, to extend his apology, writing,
“Last video I did something pretty stupid. You might've already seen it, but maybe not so I'll address it here. There was a clip with the action cam of me test driving a car and going way to fast. Absolutely inexcusable and dangerous.”
Marques Brownlee also wrote,
“All I can do apologize and promise never to do anything close to that stupid again. That's a terrible example to set and I'm sorry for it.”
As mentioned, Brownlee’s stunt created a Streisand effect, a phenomenon where efforts to censor, conceal, or divert attention from something end up drawing even more attention to it.
The term originated from a 2003 lawsuit filed by American singer and actress Barbra Streisand against a photographer, which inadvertently brought greater focus to the photo she was trying to remove from the internet.
Marques Brownlee faced criticism for the second time this year
Some users acknowledged the apology, stating that while many might still be upset, it was genuine. They appreciated that Marques Brownlee admitted to his mistake and expressed a commitment to improving, which they felt was more than most would do.
This marks the second instance in recent months where Marques Brownlee has faced criticism. Earlier in September 2024, he received backlash for launching an expensive wallpaper app ‘Panels.’ He later addressed the feedback, making changes to the app to respond to the concerns of his audience.
Upon its release, critics immediately criticized Brownlee’s app, questioning the concept of a subscription-based wallpaper service. Panels offered high-definition phone wallpapers, sparking disbelief among users who felt similar content had always been available for free.
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A major critique of the app focused on the "Panels Plus" subscription, which charged $11.99 monthly or $49.99 annually to remove ads and unlock full access to the complete wallpaper collection. When he launched Panels, fans had high hopes, assuming he would hold his product to the same rigorous standards. However, initial responses focused on the app’s high cost, intrusive ads, and significant data collection.
Marques Brownlee engaged with his critics and described the intense feedback as “pretty dope,” assuring users he would address issues, especially regarding data privacy. However, some argued that the damage was done, suggesting that this misstep might have harmed the trust and authenticity central to his brand. He also added that the app failed on the price at its launch.
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