Man sues China firm after failing 26-day challenge to live in isolation for US$120,000 reward
Lawyer argues that challenge rules were unreasonable and unfair, imposing severe psychological burden on participants
A man in China has paid 20,000 yuan (US$2,800) in registration fees to participate in a “self-discipline challenge” three times, hoping to win a substantial cash prize, but he was unsuccessful in all attempts.
The man, surnamed Zhang, took the company behind the challenge to court in Xian, in northwestern China, believing his dream of winning 860,000 yuan (US$120,000) had been shattered and claiming he had been defrauded, according to the Huashang Daily.
Zhang was drawn to the advertisement for the challenge, which stated that contestants would be rewarded with a lucrative sum for staying in a room for several days while adhering to specific rules.
According to the challenge rules, participants are placed in a room monitored by several surveillance cameras. They can only turn the light on and off once a day and must do so before 6am each day.
Participants must not move, shut down, or cover the monitoring cameras, and if they shield their face from the camera, this action cannot last more than three seconds.
Challengers are required to use their mobile phones during designated times each day and must return the devices to their original place. Additionally, they are prohibited from covering or drinking the beers provided in the room.
