Linus Sebastian’s Linus Media Group YouTube empire is currently facing a major crisis, as it deals with allegations of theft, lapses in ethics, and now, allegations of sexual harassment. The company has taken the step of pausing all production in order to improve its review processes, and CEO Terren Tong has stated that an outside investigator will be hired to examine the harassment allegations.
The controversy began when popular YouTube channel Gamers Nexus posted a video outlining factual errors and ethics concerns in recent Linus Tech Tips videos. Host Steve Burke expressed alarm at the corporate connections and flow of money within Linus Tech Tips, suggesting potential bias as a result.
One specific concern raised by Gamers Nexus revolved around a GPU cooling block made by Billet Labs. According to Gamers Nexus, Linus Tech Tips reviewed a copper cooling block on the wrong GPU and then auctioned it off without the company’s permission. This miscommunication raised further questions about the ethical practices of Linus Tech Tips.
In response to Gamers Nexus’ video, Linus Tech Tips CFO Yvonne Ho announced in a video titled “What do we do now?” that the entire channel would pause production for the next week to address the issues raised. Ho stated that she agreed with the community and was taking immediate action.
Linus Tech Tips founder Linus Sebastian took to the company’s forums to respond to concerned fans, acknowledging the mistakes and pledging to do better. He explained that the auctioning of the cooling block was an accident due to miscommunication and that the company was working with Billet Labs to resolve the issue.
The situation took a more serious turn when former employee Madison Reeve posted a thread on social media platform X, alleging a toxic work environment at Linus Media Group. Reeve accused the company of stifling her contributions and subjecting her to sexual harassment by other employees. She cited incidents of being grabbed in the office and demeaning language used towards her.
Sebastian responded to the allegations, expressing shock and stating that they were inconsistent with his recollections and the company’s internal processes and values. He emphasized the company’s commitment to maintaining a safe and inclusive environment and announced that the HR team would thoroughly assess the allegations.
CEO Terren Tong also responded, expressing shock at the allegations and promising an internal review. He further stated that an external investigator would be hired to examine the allegations, and the company would publish the findings and implement any necessary corrective actions.
The Linus Media Group YouTube channel has gained a large following due to its tech-related content, but the recent allegations have raised serious concerns about the company’s practices and culture. The halt in production and the commitment to address these issues will play a crucial role in determining the future of the Linus Media Group empire.