Marques Brownlee, known as MKBHD, is under fire after a video where he drove over 150 km/h in a school zone during a promotional segment for DJI. Despite his history of avoiding fully sponsored content, this incident, coupled with recent controversies like a paid app launch and minor inaccuracies in reviews, has drawn significant criticism. MKBHD has publicly acknowledged his mistake, calling it “inexcusable and dangerous,” and has edited the footage in question while promising to learn from the experience.
The Recent Controversy Surrounding MKBHD
Marques Brownlee, widely known as MKBHD, is facing significant backlash on Twitter, where many users are expressing harsh criticism towards the tech YouTuber, who boasts an impressive following of 19.6 million subscribers. In one of his latest videos, a nine-minute promotional piece for a DJI product, MKBHD finds himself at the center of controversy despite his long-standing stance against fully sponsored content.
In a brief five-second clip from his recent video, which highlights a mini-camera designed for vlogging, Marques is seen driving at over 150 km/h in a school zone where the speed limit is set at 50 km/h. To make matters worse, the speedometer initially displays the alarming speed before becoming blurry, suggesting that the video editor was aware of the excessive speed but chose to leave it in the final cut. This has prompted calls for consequences from both fans and critics alike.
MKBHD’s Recent Challenges and Response
Having established himself as a leader in tech product reviews since his teenage years, MKBHD has earned a reputation for thorough analysis, making him a trusted figure in the industry. However, over the past few months, he has faced increased scrutiny for various missteps. While some errors have been minor—such as inaccuracies in his iPhone 16 review—others have raised more significant concerns. Recently, the launch of a paid app for downloading wallpapers for 50 euros a year also stirred controversy, and now this speeding incident adds fuel to the fire.
Some analysts, including Neil Cybart, speculate that MKBHD’s growing business ventures might be distancing him from the very essence that contributed to his success. Partnerships like the one with DJI can be lucrative, but they also risk altering the authenticity of his content.
In response to the uproar, Marques Brownlee took to X (Twitter) and made a statement on his YouTube channel, acknowledging his error and labeling his behavior as “inexcusable and dangerous.” MKBHD utilized YouTube’s post-production features to edit out the controversial segment, asserting that this action was not an attempt to hide the mistake but rather a step towards accountability. He expressed his remorse, stating, “All I can do is apologize and promise that I will never do something so stupid again.”
Despite his efforts to address the situation, MKBHD continues to face criticism on social media, with many comments on YouTube focusing exclusively on this incident. As he navigates this challenging period, it’s essential to recognize that while he has made a mistake, the overall quality of his content remains high. The path to success often invites scrutiny, and it is crucial for creators like him to learn from these experiences.