Mexican authorities are seeking compensation from MrBeast after alleging he violated filming permit terms while promoting his product near ancient Mayan sites, sparking a dispute over the use of cultural heritage in commercial content.
Mexico Challenges MrBeast Over Mayan Pyramids Filming Permit Violation
Mexico Challenges MrBeast Over Mayan Pyramids Filming Permit Violation
The renowned YouTuber faces accusations of exploiting ancient heritage for commercial gain in his latest video.
Mexican authorities have initiated legal action against the popular U.S. YouTuber MrBeast, alleging violations relating to a filming permit granted for his recent video featuring ancient Mayan pyramids. The video, titled "I Explored 2000 Year Old Ancient Temples," highlights the grandeur of these historic sites but has drawn controversy for its commercial undertones.
In the video, which has amassed over 60 million views within a week, MrBeast, whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson, promotes his chocolate product as a "Mayan dessert," which the authorities argue constitutes for-profit exploitation not permitted under the terms of the granted filming permit. A representative for MrBeast has refuted these allegations, stating that none of the promotional content was filmed directly on archaeological sites overseen by the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH).
Despite MrBeast's claims that he aimed to foster appreciation for Mayan heritage, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has called for an investigation into the permit issuance process. The YouTuber had expressed gratitude to both tourism and government officials for allowing him to film at these treasured locations. However, the video also features scenes of MrBeast and his crew appearing to trespass into restricted areas of significant historical importance, leading to an outcry from heritage authorities.
INAH has specifically condemned certain aspects of the video as false representations, urging the need for accountability when it comes to heritage site portrayal. "All of these are false assertions that obey the theatricality of the YouTuber in question," the institute stated, while stressing the importance of preserving these sites as vital components of Mexico’s indigenous heritage.
Claudia Curiel de Icaza, Mexico's Secretary of Culture, criticized the use of archaeological images for commercial gain and stated that "administrative sanctions" may be considered against the production company, Full Circle Media, which was responsible for filming. As MrBeast continues to hold his position as the leading YouTube influencer with a staggering 395 million followers, the outcome of this dispute may have significant implications for the intersection of heritage and modern digital content creation.
