China ponders the humans behind "virtual idols"

Often these digital avatars are controlled by anonymous human performers wearing motion-capture gear. The most popular virtual idols sing and dance before millions of viewers on live-streaming platforms. Some virtual idols are influencers or used in marketing campaigns. Take Carol, the lead singer of a-soul, one of China's most popular virtual bands. According to fans, the performer behind the virtual idol had complained that she was bullied, overworked and underpaid. A paper published in October by the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, a state think-tank, spoke of the need for laws and regulations surrounding "Virtual labour". Behind some avatars are humans with similar gripes.