Mumbai: Shlok Srivastava, the popular Indian tech YouTuber known as Tech Burner, ventured into the hardware market with the launch of his “Tech Watch,” branded as Layers Anarc. This move, highly anticipated by his large fanbase, was quickly met with controversy and allegations of a potential scam. So, what exactly happened, and were the claims justified?

The Allegations Unpacked:

The primary accusations leveled against Tech Burner and the Layers Anarc smartwatch revolved around several key points:

• Chinese Origins: Critics, including other tech YouTubers like Rohit Raj Gupta, pointed out that the Anarc watch appeared to be a rebranded Chinese smartwatch, readily available on platforms like Alibaba at a significantly lower price. Evidence cited included the watch’s software having Chinese services integrated (Tencent, WeChat, QQ), a cloud server based in China, and even software logs written in Chinese.
• Misleading Marketing: The watch was marketed as “designed in London,” leading many to believe it was an original design. However, its close resemblance to existing Chinese models fueled accusations of false marketing to justify a higher price point (₹6,999 and above).
• Dubious Privacy Policy: Investigations revealed that the Layers app’s privacy policy redirected users to a generic webpage belonging to a Chinese company (East Apex), the alleged manufacturer of the Anarc Watch. The policy was even found to be a direct copy-paste with only the company names changed.
• Lack of Transparency: Critics argued that Tech Burner was not transparent about the watch’s origins and the extent of its design and manufacturing being outsourced.

Tech Burner’s Response and the Aftermath:

Faced with mounting criticism and even a legal notice sent to Rohit Raj Gupta (which further fueled the controversy), Tech Burner eventually addressed the issue. In a later video, he apologized for the “problems” with the watch and stated his commitment to solving customer issues. This response, however, was seen by many as an admission of shortcomings rather than a direct denial of the core allegations.

Did Tech Burner “Scam” His Audience?

Whether it constitutes a deliberate “scam” is a matter of interpretation. While the watch wasn’t entirely a unique, “designed in London” product as some might have inferred from the marketing, Tech Burner did invest a reported USD 1 million into the venture and achieved significant initial sales (reportedly ₹3-4 crore in the first 24 hours).

However, the lack of transparency regarding the watch’s origins and the significant price markup compared to its likely source raise serious ethical questions about the marketing tactics employed. Many viewers felt misled about the product’s true value and the extent of Tech Burner’s involvement in its creation beyond branding and promotion.

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Lessons Learned and the Impact on Tech Burner’s Reputation:

This controversy served as a significant learning experience for both Tech Burner and his audience. Key takeaways include:

• The Importance of Transparency: Honesty and transparency about product origins and manufacturing processes are crucial for maintaining trust with an audience.
• The Power of Scrutiny: The incident highlights the importance of independent reviews and critical analysis in the tech space.
• Reputation Management: For influencers, maintaining credibility is paramount. Misleading promotions can severely damage their reputation and erode audience trust.

The “Tech Watch” controversy undoubtedly impacted Tech Burner’s reputation, leading to disappointment and anger among some of his followers. While he still maintains a large audience, the incident serves as a cautionary tale about the ethical responsibilities of influencers when promoting products to their loyal viewers.

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