With millions of followers, brand deals, global travel and a loyal fan base, the influencer lifestyle is often admired. But with that fame comes growing safety concerns. For many influencers, online popularity now comes with offline consequences, including stalking, harassment and exposure of private moments.
Kai Cenat confronted during livestream at AMAs
Fresh off his four-day “Streamer University” event — where he served as “dean” to more than 150 content creators — Twitch streamer Kai Cenat headed to Las Vegas on Monday, May 26, to livestream the 2025 American Music Awards and present an award.
While taking photos with fans before the show, one man approached him with his daughter in tow. At first, it seemed like a wholesome moment until the man then brought up Ye — formerly known as Kanye West — and said, “We love Ye for being outspoken regardless, ’cause it’s America, and I think it’s a great thing to live in a free country. Don’t you, Kai?”
Cenat, visibly uncomfortable, looked into the camera and responded, “So, you really hopped on my stream, knowing my influence, to come on here and say that?”
The man continued speaking before Cenat shut it down, saying, “I think I want to protect my energy, so I’mma politely ask you to get out of here, cuz.”
Ye has remained in the headlines for controversial posts and public behavior, including antisemitic comments. Though a lawsuit was filed against him by former Jewish employees, no legal action has progressed.
Stream sniping and sabotage are growing concerns
What happened to Cenat is part of a broader trend known as stream sniping. This occurs when people use background clues from live streams to find a creator’s real-life location and interfere with their content. Though the term originated in gaming circles, it’s increasingly happening in real-world settings as influencer culture goes mainstream.
Emilie Kiser mourns loss of son amid public scrutiny
Another influencer facing public exposure is Emilie Kiser, a family content creator with over 4 million followers on TikTok.
On May 12, police responded to a home in Chandler, Arizona, after a 3-year-old boy was found unconscious in a backyard pool. The child was taken to Phoenix Children’s Hospital in critical condition.
Before Kiser made any statement, fans used footage shared by media outlets to identify her home by cross-referencing it with past videos. They also noticed that several close friends and family had visited the house that day and stopped posting on social media, further fuelling speculation.
Many fans offered condolences, but others began dissecting Kiser’s past content. In one video, she asked followers for pool safety recommendations. In another, she discussed potentially installing a fence and mentioned a net system with “zero fatalities.”
Users found comments from 2024 in which Kiser stated that they planned to add a pool fence eventually. Screenshots also showed that a safety net was sometimes visible in her posts. These discoveries sparked online accusations of negligence.
On May 19, some users faced backlash on social media after confirming public death records revealed Kiser’s son passed away. Local media outlets later confirmed the news.
As of May 27, neither Kiser nor her husband made a public comment. She has since turned off comments on her TikTok, and her husband switched his Instagram account to private.
Her last video before the tragedy was titled: “A Monday morning mom of two.”
Fame’s dark side: Influencers caught in a privacy crisis
These two stories illustrate the increasing risks associated with digital fame. Content creators are not only vulnerable to trolls and criticism but also to real-world invasions of privacy.
While trolling is often brushed off as online hate or mockery, it can escalate into doxxing, harassment or public exposure of private details. The emotional and mental toll can be significant.
Experts recommend safety strategies for creators
Brijesh Singh, an Indian police officer and cybersecurity expert, advises influencers to take proactive steps to stay safe online. His recommendations include:
- Hiring professional security at high-profile events
- Using P.O. boxes for all business correspondence
- Avoiding real-time location sharing
- Conducting regular audits of personal content and digital presence
While larger creators may have access to security resources, Singh’s advice can help smaller influencers protect themselves from the unexpected dangers that come with going viral.
