The Bored Ape Yacht Club’s (BAYC) annual ApeFest, a highly anticipated event for NFT enthusiasts, has taken an unexpected and concerning turn. What was meant to be a celebration of the Web3 community in Hong Kong is now under a cloud of controversy, with reports of attendees suffering from eye problems and a lawsuit looming over Yuga Labs, the creators of BAYC. Let’s dive into what happened at ApeFest and the potential fallout for the NFT world.
ApeFest Attendees Report Eye Issues: What’s the Buzz?
Last week, whispers started circulating within the NFT community about attendees at ApeFest in Hong Kong experiencing eye discomfort and pain. These weren’t just minor irritations; reports suggested more serious ailments, raising alarms about the event’s safety. Asif Kamal, the CEO of Artfi, an art technology business, became one of the most prominent voices when he reported experiencing a severe eye infection and facial burns after attending ApeFest.
Kamal didn’t just stop at reporting his symptoms. He took a significant step by serving a legal notice to Yuga Labs. This move signals a serious escalation of the situation and raises critical questions about event safety in the burgeoning Web3 space.
Why Sue Yuga Labs? Understanding Asif Kamal’s Perspective
For Asif Kamal, this isn’t just about personal discomfort. It’s about accountability and ensuring the safety of the community that supports the NFT ecosystem. Here’s a breakdown of his stance:
- Safety Negligence: Kamal believes Yuga Labs was negligent in ensuring the safety of ApeFest attendees. He alleges that incorrect lighting arrangements at the event venue are the cause of the eye issues.
- Community Concern: While taking legal action, Kamal emphasizes his concern for the broader BAYC community and the NFT market. He stated, “I don’t want the price of Apes, [the BAYC] community, Yuga Labs, or anyone who has supported this Web3 ecosystem to suffer.” However, he feels neglecting the safety issue is unacceptable.
- Seeking Accountability: Filing a lawsuit is, for Kamal, a step towards holding Yuga Labs accountable and ensuring that future events prioritize attendee safety. He described the legal notice as the “first step toward suing them.”
The Alleged Cause: UV-C Lamps and Lighting Mishap
Speculation on social media, particularly on platforms like Twitter, quickly pointed towards a potential culprit: UV-C disinfection lamps. The theory is that these lamps, which emit harmful ultraviolet radiation, may have been mistakenly used for event lighting instead of safe blacklights.
UV-C Lamps vs. Blacklights: Key Differences
To understand the concern, let’s quickly differentiate between these light sources:
| Feature | UV-C Lamps | Blacklights (UV-A) |
|---|---|---|
| UV Radiation Type | UV-C (short wavelength, high energy) | UV-A (long wavelength, low energy) |
| Safety | Harmful to eyes and skin; used for disinfection in unoccupied spaces. | Relatively safe for human exposure in limited amounts; used for fluorescent effects. |
| Purpose | Sterilization, disinfection | Illumination, creating fluorescent effects |
| Potential Hazard | Eye damage, skin burns with prolonged exposure | Minimal risk with normal use |
If UV-C lamps were indeed used incorrectly, it could explain the reported eye pain and burns experienced by ApeFest attendees. However, it’s crucial to note that this is still speculation, and official investigations are ongoing.
Yuga Labs’ Response: Taking it Seriously?
Following the mounting reports and community concerns, Yuga Labs issued a statement acknowledging the situation. They told Decrypt that they are “still examining the problem and ‘taking it seriously.’” However, they have not yet confirmed the cause of the eye issues. Yuga Labs also stated that they believe “much less than 1%” of the 2,250 ApeFest attendees experienced symptoms. Despite this, they advised anyone experiencing symptoms to seek medical attention as a precaution.
gm Apes – We are aware that some ApeFest attendees reported eye issues after Tuesday night. While less than 1% of the ~2,250 attendees reported symptoms, we are taking this seriously and are in touch with the production team to investigate. In the meantime, if you are…
— Bored Ape Yacht Club (@BoredApeYC) November 6, 2023
As of now, Yuga Labs has not responded to requests for further comment regarding the legal notice from Asif Kamal.
Asif Kamal’s Hospital Experience and Vision Update
Asif Kamal shared his personal ordeal, describing a frustrating visit to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Hong Kong, where he faced communication barriers due to limited English-speaking staff. He recounted feeling “helpless” and “blind for hours” during his treatment, which involved a device flushing his eyes with a cold solution.
Day 4 since @BoredApeYC @apefest & I am better but still have blurred vision.
It was an upsetting experience that could have been avoided if human safety was prioritised.
I have taken legal recourse.
Hoping others impacted are getting better. pic.twitter.com/vSd3y7Z2fx
— Asif Kamal (@iamasifkamal) November 8, 2023
In a recent video interview, Kamal was seen wearing sunglasses, and photos revealed peeling skin on his brow, indicating ongoing effects from the incident. He reported that his vision is improving but still not fully recovered, describing it as foggy with “small darts” in one eye.
Community Support and Broader Implications
Interestingly, Asif Kamal is not just an attendee; he is also a member of the BAYC community. He mentioned owning a Mutant Ape and even purchasing a $60,000 Bored Ape to support the community, highlighting his vested interest in the ecosystem’s well-being.
Just swept a Mutant for 14.75 ETH to show support to the @BoredApeYC community while at ApeFest. LFG!! #ApeFest #BAYC pic.twitter.com/818e3o9QG7
— Evan Luthra 🚀 (@EvanLuthra) November 5, 2023
Kamal also claims to know other ApeFest attendees experiencing similar symptoms, suggesting the issue might be more widespread than Yuga Labs’ initial assessment. His lawsuit could set a precedent for event safety within the NFT and Web3 space, emphasizing the responsibility of event organizers to prioritize human safety, especially when community support has been instrumental in their success.
Read Also: Coatue Management Marks Down It’s NFT Investment By 90%
Looking Ahead: What Does This Mean for ApeFest and Web3 Events?
The ApeFest eye injury incident and the subsequent lawsuit raise critical questions about event safety in the rapidly evolving Web3 landscape. Here are some key takeaways:
- Safety First: This situation underscores the absolute necessity for event organizers, especially in the Web3 space where communities are paramount, to prioritize attendee safety above all else.
- Accountability and Transparency: The lawsuit pushes for accountability from Yuga Labs and highlights the need for transparency in addressing safety concerns.
- Community Trust: How Yuga Labs handles this situation will significantly impact the trust within the BAYC community and the broader NFT space.
- Industry-Wide Implications: This incident could lead to stricter safety protocols and greater scrutiny for all Web3 events in the future.
In Conclusion: A Turning Point for Web3 Event Safety?
The ApeFest 2023 eye injury controversy is more than just a series of unfortunate incidents. It’s a potential turning point that could reshape how Web3 events are organized and managed. As the lawsuit progresses and investigations continue, the NFT community and the wider world will be watching closely to see how Yuga Labs responds and what lessons are learned. One thing is clear: in the world of Web3, where community is everything, ensuring the safety and well-being of that community must be the top priority.
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