A woman took streamer smashgodxxx to Judge Judy after discovering he was broadcasting their entire date to his audience without telling her. The case ended with Judge Judy awarding the woman $5,000 for the violation of her privacy.
The woman found out she was being live-streamed when text-to-speech donation messages started playing from the streamer’s phone during their date. Viewers were sending money and having their messages read aloud while the couple was together in his car and at public locations.
During the TV arbitration show, smashgodxxx, now streaming under the handle Lord Hito on Kick, argued he had the right to film in public spaces and in his own vehicle. Judge Judy disagreed. She ruled that using someone’s image and voice on a monetized stream without their consent was wrong, regardless of where the filming took place.
While recording in public is sometimes legal, using someone’s likeness for commercial purposes without permission can lead to civil liability. The fact that the stream was making money through donations likely influenced Judge Judy’s decision.
As with all Judge Judy cases, the show itself pays the $5,000 award rather than the defendant. Both parties agree to binding arbitration when they appear on the program, and the show covers all judgments plus appearance fees.
The case serves as a warning for IRL streamers who might think they can broadcast anything as long as they’re in public. Getting consent from everyone who appears on a monetized stream isn’t just polite—it can save you from ending up in court.
