Mexico is seeking compensation from YouTube celebrity MrBeast’s production company, accusing it of using images of the country’s ancient archaeological sites to advertise a chocolate brand.
A video of the social media star visiting Maya ruins has been viewed around 60m times since 10 May on YouTube, where he has 395 million subscribers.
In the video, titled “I Explored 2,000 Year Old Ancient Temples,” the influencer explores the ancient Maya cities including Calakmul and Chichén Itzá in south-eastern Mexico.
“I can’t believe the government’s letting us do this,” he said after entering a pyramid, prompting criticism from several users who complained that MrBeast had access to areas restricted to Mexicans.
On Wednesday Mexico’s president, Claudia Sheinbaum, requested clarification on the conditions under which the YouTuber was granted access.
In the video, the celebrity also advertises his own brand snacks, calling them “Mayan-approved,” prompting an official complaint from the National Institute of Archaeology and History.
While Mexico is “pleased that YouTubers and all the world’s young people appreciate the value of our indigenous civilisations” it “strongly condemns those who take advantage,” the institute wrote in a social media post.
The permit issued to production company Full Circle Media did not authorise “the use of the image of the archaeological sites for the advertising of commercial brands for private profit,” it added.
Mexico is “demanding compensation for damages and a public retraction, due to noncompliance with the terms,” it said.
In Mérida, the capital of Yucatán state where Chichén Itzá is located, several residents expressed their disapproval of the access given to the YouTuber.
“Restrictions and regulations should apply to everyone: domestic tourists, foreign visitors, as well as us locals,” said tour guide Jose Elias Aguayo, 53.
