Hong Kong actor Jackie Chan, known as the “curse of endorsement,” had his endorsement of a Russian antivirus software recently halted by the US Department of Commerce. Reports indicate that the software in question has privileged access to computer systems, which could potentially lead to theft of sensitive information, installation of malicious software, or refusal to provide important updates.
On June 20, the US Department of Commerce announced a ban on the sale of Kaspersky antivirus software, produced by the Russian company Kaspersky Lab, citing concerns that it poses a significant national security threat to the United States. This move signifies that the US may begin implementing new measures to restrict or prohibit transactions between American companies and internet, telecommunications, and technology companies from countries like China and Russia, deemed as “foreign adversaries.”
According to reports from The Wall Street Journal and The Guardian, Kaspersky Lab, headquartered in Moscow, Russia, has offices in 31 countries worldwide and serves over 220,000 corporate clients in more than 200 countries. Western security officials have long believed that Kaspersky Lab has connections to the Russian government, raising fears that it could act as a “digital Trojan horse” infiltrating sensitive computer networks without detection.
Some netizens unearthed an old advertisement in which Jackie Chan endorsed Kaspersky software. In the ad, he wore a helmet given by virus experts and then displayed martial arts skills in the digital world, combating various viruses. Now, this commercial has become the subject of online ridicule, with netizens joking that even wearing a helmet didn’t help.
Jackie Chan, who has faced a series of setbacks in recent years, seems to have a streak of bad luck when it comes to endorsing products. Netizens mockingly refer to it as the “curse of endorsement,” as either the companies go bankrupt or the products get pulled from shelves due to quality issues.
Netizens recounted a list of products Jackie Chan endorsed that met unfortunate fates: from the bankruptcy of Little Tyrant game console to the imprisonment of the CEO of Ai Duo VCD, and the disappearance of Fenhuang Cola, among others. There is a saying in the Chinese business world that the death of a certain enterprise is called “endorsed by Jackie Chan.”
What’s even more striking is Jackie Chan’s vocal support for China amidst the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus, praising and whitewashing the Chinese government’s response. This has led to online ridicule, with netizens sarcastically thanking Jackie Chan for endorsing the CCP virus and suggesting that the Communist Party is in for some bad luck.
With his statements like “Chinese people need to be controlled” and boasting about China’s status as a major world power, Jackie Chan alienated some Chinese netizens. Given the grim situation of the global COVID-19 pandemic, some Chinese internet users have even suggested labeling Jackie Chan as a “Jonah,” referring to his perceived ability to bring bad luck or misfortune.