It is unclear how these messages of support were obtained, but all four celebrities are available to hire through the website Cameo, which allows people to pay high-profile individuals to read out a script for them, for anything from a birthday greeting to a business marketing video.
The Norris “shout out” to HyperVerse states that “under the leadership of CEO Steven, HyperVerse will be the leader of metaverse space”.
Wozniak said: “I’m here to support Steven and HyperVerse”, and “I can’t wait for the HyperVerse”.
Norton described HyperVerse as a “decentralised metaverse platform with infinite possibilities” and encouraged people to sign up. “I strongly believe Steven will lead HyperVerse to success. Let’s all join the HyperVerse. What are you waiting for? Do it now.”
The video messages of support were released in January 2022 as HyperVerse was ramping up its global recruitment drive.
Guardian Australia contacted Wozniak, Norris, Norton and Bass for comment, but received no reply. There is no suggestion they had any knowledge of HyperVerse’s business model when filming the messages of support and they make no reference to money or investments.
It appears to me that if you are part of a service where people can book you to say and advertise whatever they want, including scams, and you do absolutely no checking of what you say there, that sounds a lot like you are running a service for scammers, and "I didn't know what I said there" should not count as a good justification.
There’s a really blurry line that needs more clarity.
When George Clooney tells me he uses Nespresso coffee pods, I don’t entirely believe him. If I found out that he didn’t, I can’t imagine trying to take legal action against him.
But Chuck Norris endorsing a cryptocurrency? Should he be required to do due diligence on a client before doing paid advertising for them? That also seems unfeasible. Then what about the Kardashians advertising dieting pills? Supermodels advertising cosmetic surgery?
It seems the line is affected by the fame of the celebrity, the product being advertised, and exactly what it is they say.
> When George Clooney tells me he uses Nespresso coffee pods, I don’t entirely believe him. If I found out that he didn’t, I can’t imagine trying to take legal action against him.
If a person knowingly lies in order to make money, why shouldn't they be legally at fault for committing fraud? Like, fine, we can make allowances for people reasonably believing that they were telling the truth and I understand that there are fuzzy cases, but there are also just objectively factually incorrect statements that were completely obvious to everybody involved.
> There’s a really blurry line that needs more clarity.
No, it isn't. At all.
> When George Clooney tells me he uses Nespresso coffee pods, I don’t entirely believe him. If I found out that he didn’t, I can’t imagine trying to take legal action against him.
So, he lied...?
> But Chuck Norris endorsing a cryptocurrency? Should he be required to do due diligence on a client before doing paid advertising for them?
Yes?
> That also seems unfeasible.
Then don't take the gig.
> Then what about the Kardashians advertising dieting pills? Supermodels advertising cosmetic surgery?
Then. Do. Not. Take. The. Gig.
---
The only reason this could possibly seem blurry at all is if you approach it with the baffling prior that celebrities selling out their trust is a good thing that should be allowed to happen at any cost, and work backwards from there.
Perhaps if they make material statements of fact. If the Woz says something like "I personally invested $X in this company and guarantee it will make a profit" and it is all a lie, sure that is false advertising.
I think some just like making themselves available, but then you see a lot of the ones listed on Cameo that looks "cheap" at ~$100 or so are videos of an average length <2m. If you can make $100 whenever you're bored and have 2 minutes or can sit down and churn out 20 in less than an hour for $2k, you might be tempted even if you have decent amounts of money.
It's a very low effort way for him to make money, $500 to record a 1-5 minute long personal video, or even more for "business" videos, $10k/video + $2,5k-$12,5k for license depending on duration
It's ironic that you call it cynical, but assume they see it as being a talking monkey (I assume "money" was a typo) and selling their reputation. That seems overly cynical to me. Many people will happily do things where the financial payoff doesn't really move the needle for all kinds of reasons ranging from enjoying it or wanting to be available to fans and admirers, to just filling dead time or boring moments. I'd imagine part of the appeal is that these services have made it quick and easy to use it as a way to fill dead time doing something (talking to fans) they often end up doing for free anyway.
Wozniak had like 4 marriages and 3 children, in a state that loves bleeding breadwinners dry in family court ( in fact after 10 years spouse is considered used up and fully depreciated so could be lifelong payouts). This may be a scenario similar to the doctor who killed Michael Jackson, who despite massive income was drowning and did desperate things .
Video:
Apple Co-Founder Loses Bitcoin Scam Ads Lawsuit Against YouTube.
Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple, recently lost his case against YouTube involving ads for a crypto scam that used his name and image without permission. Similar scam ads us...
By CoinDesk Staff
Jun 3, 2021
Markets:
Apple Co-Founder Steve Wozniak Loses Case Against YouTube Involving Bitcoin Scam.
A California superior court judge ruled the social media giant was not responsible for its users' content.
By Sebastian Sinclair
Jun 3, 2021
Finance:
Apple Co-Founder Wozniak’s New Venture Lists Token to Help Fund Energy Efficiency Projects.
Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak has launched Efforce, a company that facilitates investments in energy efficiency projects via cryptocurrency and blockchain technology.
By David Pan
Dec 5, 2020
Markets:
Apple Co-Founder Steve Wozniak Sues YouTube Over Bitcoin Giveaway Scams.
Wozniak is among 18 plaintiffs suing the video-sharing giant for allowing crypto giveaway scams using his likeness to flourish on the platform.
By Sandali Handagama
Jul 23, 2020
Markets:
Steve Wozniak Has Joined an Energy-Focused Blockchain Startup in Malta.
The Apple co-founder has joined his second blockchain enterprise, one targeting more efficient use of energy.
By Daniel Palmer
Jul 19, 2019
Markets:
Apple Co-Founder Steve Wozniak Joins Crypto Startup Equi: Report.
Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak said Tuesday that he's now working with investment-focused crypto startup Equi, though his role is as yet unclear.
By Nikhilesh De
Aug 21, 2018
Markets:
Tech Legend Steve Wozniak Scammed Out of $70K in Bitcoin.
Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak says he once lost seven bitcoin, worth more than $71,000 today, to a ruse involving a stolen credit card number.
By Annaliese Milano
Feb 27, 2018
Keep reading. That was after directly participating in at least two crypto companies himself, Efforce and Equi. So he's been both victim and perpetrator.
The fact that he had already been willingly involved in and personally endorsed multiple Crypto schemes makes it even more plausible that people would believe other scams claiming to have his endorsement.
After getting scammed out of $70k and losing a lawsuit about having his likeness used without his permission, perhaps he should be more reluctant and picky about personally endorsing other crypto scams.
When you lay down with dogs, you get up with fleas.
>Apple Co-Founder Wozniak’s New Venture Lists Token to Help Fund Energy Efficiency Projects. Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak has launched Efforce, a company that facilitates investments in energy efficiency projects via cryptocurrency and blockchain technology.
Do you actually believe a crypto company that claims to be concerned about energy efficiency isn't a scam??!
>Apple Co-Founder Steve Wozniak Joins Crypto Startup Equi: Report. Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak said Tuesday that he's now working with investment-focused crypto startup Equi
Do you actually believe a crypto company that claims to be dispensing investment advice isn't a scam??!
If you believe that, have I got a sure bet for you:
No. Your comment doesn't make sense. Why would someone whose whole brand is talking shit about crypto switch it up? She has her audience and it works for her. She's clearly biased and not a good source for anything.
If you honestly admit you believe and respect crypto shills, I'll honestly admit I believe you still do, but you're still an exception, thanks to Molly White and people like her and Dan Olson and Stephen Findeisen and Chris Natsuume, who seem to irritate you so much by simply educating people about the truth about crypto shills and scams and NFTs and Web3.
Dan Olson (Folding Ideas): Line Goes Up – The Problem With NFTs
Maybe you shouldn't endorse a company when "there is no suggestion they had any knowledge of HyperVerse’s business model". I think every one of these celebrities should be held liable for the bullshit they say.
The Norris “shout out” to HyperVerse states that “under the leadership of CEO Steven, HyperVerse will be the leader of metaverse space”.
Wozniak said: “I’m here to support Steven and HyperVerse”, and “I can’t wait for the HyperVerse”.
Norton described HyperVerse as a “decentralised metaverse platform with infinite possibilities” and encouraged people to sign up. “I strongly believe Steven will lead HyperVerse to success. Let’s all join the HyperVerse. What are you waiting for? Do it now.”
The video messages of support were released in January 2022 as HyperVerse was ramping up its global recruitment drive.
Guardian Australia contacted Wozniak, Norris, Norton and Bass for comment, but received no reply. There is no suggestion they had any knowledge of HyperVerse’s business model when filming the messages of support and they make no reference to money or investments.