Is the Tech Industry Bullying Reviewers? A Deep Dive into MSI’s Controversial Tactics. The tech industry is at a crossroads, one where integrity is being pitted against profits. Recently, a smaller creator’s negative laptop review sparked a media firestorm as it exposed unseemly practices employed by companies like MSI. What does this say about the tech giants that fuel consumer trust and how do these situations impact smaller creators? In this article, we delve into the complexities of reviewer-company interactions and the troubling sentiment emerging from an unexpected corner of the tech landscape.
The Backstory: Tech Team GB and MSI’s Fallout
Tech Team GB, a lesser-known UK technology reviewer, recently found itself embroiled in a controversy after publishing a negative review of MSI’s Bravo 15 laptop. Highlighting several issues such as a subpar display, high thermals, and an unreliable trackpad, the review was backed by extensive evidence and testing. In a move that raised eyebrows among industry insiders, MSI’s PR team allegedly attempted to influence the review in multiple unacceptable ways. These included an offer to pay off Tech Team GB, a request to adjust the review’s title to sound more favorable, and even suggestions that their future partnership could hinge upon the review alterations. Most shocking was MSI’s attempt to enlist AMD to take down the video, only to be firmly declined.
For a detailed analysis, refer to Tech Team GB’s official Twitter and their YouTube channel where they have been transparently following up on these interactions.
The Broader Implications: A Culture of Fear?
MSI is not an isolated case. The pressure to maintain a certain image can drive companies to apply pressure on reviewers to manipulate their content. This can perpetuate a culture where negative feedback is stifled, primarily affecting smaller creators who do not have the luxury of backing from larger platforms. Companies tend to gravitate towards positive reinforcement, often shunning valid criticism.
Industry insiders highlight a recurring theme: lower-level PR employees may resort to extreme measures to prevent unfavorable reviews out of fear for their job security or to meet performance metrics. If PR staff feel that negative reviews could jeopardize sample distributions or sponsorships, faulty tactics become a means of self-preservation—though ethically misguided.
Real-Life Experiences: The Struggles of Smaller Creators
Our sources reveal systemic issues across various tech companies. Instances of ASUS threatening legal repercussions over honest criticism and other anonymous creators facing pressure to alter results have surfaced. These incidents emphasize a troubling reality; smaller creators may face hostile repercussions that industry giants may overlook.
This practice not only undermines the authenticity of reviews but also contributes to an inhospitable industry landscape for newcomer reviewers. While some companies remain receptive to valid criticism—addressing issues to enhance future products—others utilize intimidation as a weapon to suppress dissenting voices.
The Need for Change
The solution lies in fostering an environment where constructive criticism is welcomed. As consumers evolve, so should companies—acknowledging that negative reviews serve a purpose. They inform product enhancements, bolster competition, and enhance consumer trust. The tech industry must shift its focus from fear tactics to constructive feedback frameworks.
The crucial question now is: how can companies learn from these incidents to foster a healthier relationship with reviewers, big or small? Will industry standards improve, or will the cycle of intimidation continue? The answer could very well dictate the future of tech product reviews.
Final Thoughts
This scenario is a wake-up call for the tech industry to prioritize transparency and accountability over profits. Small creators stand on the front lines, often sacrificing their well-being for honest reviews. As consumers, we need to amplify the voices of those who articulate their opinions fearlessly. How can we, as a community, support these creators amidst these challenges? The dialogue must continue.
Discover more from Marki Mugan
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Hats off to AMD for not being dicks and siding with TechteamGB
Why wouldn't they just actually test the thernals on a prototype before they just send it to production? Tf
MSI is a good manufacturer. I personally won't think bad about them for this. The reviewer was too harsh on reviewing the product and they must understand that it is a production line that cannot be stopped just because of 1 bad review.
I am glad i subscribed to this channel. Its been years now and not even once did i doubt your content. I am glad you did this video. Its really good that you are defending the smaller guy. Proud of you guys. All tech channels should stick and defend each other so companies cant touch and manipulate you. Tech channels are whats keeping us away from bad products. Good job guys. Again, really proud of this channel.
If they dont want negative reviews maybe make better products
I was just about to buy an MSI motherboard, but knowing they are going to use bullying against reviewers, I'll buy a board from another manufacturer now.
IF only your skewed testing and imbalanced egos were what you held yourself to account for, sadly that isnt the case with your work. I would like to help you but who you are speaks too loudly. You really need to clean that up. Its sad. This is a good cause, but I still dont like your lack of balance in all of your reviews and within yourselves. You are not for the people, you are choosing elitism as your failing line. You will of course come to regret it later, but thats for you to enjoy not me.
Glad I never bought MSI.
no wonder MSI ceo jumped to his death lol.
Thanks for speaking out. The more credible sources speak out, the more the companies will recognize that the public doesn't tolerate this stuff.
Keep up the great work you do!
Thank you very much. I've learned in life that doing the right thing can be very difficult. I was in customer service for 40 years and many of my employers, even though they said they did, would not go the extra mile for their customers. And many times, not all, I would be chastised by management for trying. Thank you again. And… man, I am I glad I retired!
Instead of blaming PR practices in general, they just have bad PR to begin with. They need to revamp on their SOP when dealing with these kind of things or not hire this kind of people.
Horrible company culture there.
This is why I hate YouTube and YouTubers
ASUS makes bad laptops, and AMD GPUs – okay wont buy ASUS.
MSI bullies the reviewers, and isn't always the best product – guess they're out too.
ASRock makes trash components – Nope nope nope
Looks at Gigabyte – Well… I… guess it's okay?
wonder how many other "reviewers" MSI and others have done this too. Sponsorships be damned, these are literally PR reps trying to sell bad products.
Had the same problem, I reviewed the LG C9 (on my very small and shitty youtube channel), it was a bad review as LG did not manage to give me a fully working screen 5 times, after i published it I got a call from them asking me to remove the review, I asked them if they can ship me a fully working unit and they claimed they did, even though the tech representative from LG who came here to check my claims (two dead HDMI 2.1, refresh rate problem, color uniformity problems, GSync not working) and said it was indeed another bad panel. after half a year of war and daily calls from and to them they took the screen and gave me my money back..
This clown was obviously trying to get free stuff/money out of MSI, they turned him down, and this review is his angry revenge. I GUARANTEE that's what happened.
I've seen it before: an online reviewer kisses a company's ass in video after video, blog after blog because the company is giving him money and free stuff, and then ALL OF A SUDDEN the reviewer starts crapping on the company and its products. What happened? The company got tired of paying "protection money" to the reviewer, refused his demand, and so the reviewer had to teach the company a hard lesson as well as send a warning to other companies.
I hope "TechTeamGB" enjoys buying computers, because I don't think too many companies are going to "partner" with him after this.
1:15… my first reply to MSI would be sure, but you probably can’t afford to pay me off 🤔😂🤣. First I want $10,000 to take down the video and I want two RTX 2080 TI GAMING X Trio’s with an Nvlink setup new before I give you guys a “positive” review.
Well done AMD telling them to sort out their own problems..
people are not being honest about AMD video cards, i purchased 2 rx580 8gb for $75 each on CL. in Bridge less Crossfire (lol @nvidia) dx12 im getting 2080ti or better numbers in modern games in 4k, this seems like a hushed up secret. I believe nvidia would not sli the gtx 1060 to keep you paying up to $2000 for some 2080ti's, removing sli support pretty much going forward (sorry J and Steve). Between AMD, Bridge less Crossfire, Microsoft, Sony, PCIe 4.0, dx12 multi gpu , when the new cards come out, just crossfire 2 price reduced 5700xt's (and rule the galaxy :)
This shit is literally the modus operandi of the gaming industry. They have a complete stranglehold on media narrative and just blacklist anybody that says anything they don't like.
So basically you telling us not to trust you!!!
"…I'm sure MSI is cracking down on this." Don't you mean they're yelling at the managers about how the got caught? I mean companies do this IF they think they can get away with it. At this point I am sure it is easier to ask, what is more normal? A: To coerce influencers and content creators to your way of thinking, or B: To be transparent and accept the products you make have issues when brought up? In the overall scheme of optics I believe its A.
i thought you meant negative reviews by youtube reviewers don't pay well
Wow ! Things like that should be speak out loud! Great 👍 👌 👍
well done guys, its nice to see this
I am in no way what you would call a creator and I don't earn anything from videos, I just do it for fun and to be informative. In a completely different life, I used to post videos of locksport, that is lock picking. All the videos were unlisted for obvious reasons and only viewable to the forum I was in. A lock manufacturer was bringing out a new lock and joined the forum to boast it was unpickable. So I asked for a sample to test and give my opinion on, It arrived and within 24 hours I had picked it and produced a video to show how. The company was not pleased. I had offered them advice onto how to improve the lock in a long email trail, but they ignored this and became quite aggressive to me and then when I would not alter or remove the video they got YouTube to remove all my videos on their locks. No way I could do anything about it. So I can definitely say from personal experience this kinda crap goes on.
Whoever runs PR at MSI needs to lose their job and be sacked. Absolutely disgusting. But this sort of crap starts at the top – so ultimate responsibility lies with the MD. He needs to be sacked as well.
It's gamergate all over again! Hopefully this time the identitarians won't get involved and ruin it…
Nice advertisement of Intel 10th Gen
I dont understand why would a negative review affect the PR team ?! Doesn't the management of a company understand that quality of a product resides in the hands of the engineering and manufacturing sections ?!
Most consumers demand prestige and pedigree to get excited about stuff. They have to be told it’s great to believe it’s great. One of those things where it pays if you can get away with it and big corporations usually do.
Keeping tech companies competitive and accountable is a great service for all of us. Great job!!
Don't worry guys, the people who watch you trust your opinion and the public need those bad reviews.
ASUs kinda sus
Came back to this video. And you know what that means?
NVIDIA being cocky and a bully because they could not handle the truth and competition!
Who's here after NVidia tried to harass hardware unboxed ✋
Coming back to this after the Nvidia Saga… Dang the industry really needs to look into themselves if these things are going to continue happening.
Gamers Nexus has been dealing with this from MSI for quite some time. Well this video is a year old I'm sure you figure that out by now… I'll exit the comments now
The problem with this is on reviewers side in a sense that you are fractured and politically isolated. What prevents from all the big channels uniting and presenting a common front to those companies? Just something small as just creating a discord channel for any content creator with over 10k subscribers and active content would be enough. Information would be shared and if any small content creator receives some crap, Linus Tech Tips can make a video in his defense.
It is THAT easy to rolfstomp those companies. However, you do not do that, because each of you just look for themselves and the others last.