LOS ANGELES -- Seems like this is not a prank: Controversial YouTube star Sam Pepper has quit the Internet.
Over the last year, the British YouTuber has repeatedly come under fire for his prank videos, such as "Fake Hand Ass Pinch Prank" (in which he pinched women's butts) and "KILLING BEST FRIEND PRANK," which features Pepper pranking Vine star Sam Golbach with help from fellow Viner Colby Brock -- by kidnapping Golbach and making him believe that Brock was about to be executed.
The 26-year-old Pepper, who is L.A.-based, posted a cryptic farewell message to his followers on Twitter on Sunday.
i give up— Sam Pepper (@sampepper) February 21, 2016
All of his other tweets, his YouTube videos, and pictures on his Instagram page have been taken down.
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Pepper, who has amassed 2.2 million subscribers to his YouTube channel, first rose to fame after appearing on the UK version of reality show Big Brother in 2011.
The somewhat abrupt news of his departure from all social media platforms comes after a slew of backlash from "Team Internet," i.e. members of the YouTube community.
In December, following the prank video with Golbach and Brock, a concerned fan started a Change.org petition compelling YouTube to delete Pepper's channel or at least take down the video. About 222,136 people signed, including prominent creators like Hannah Hart, Andrea Russett and Sam Pottorff.
Even hacktivist collective Anonymous called on Pepper to take down the video, including a vague threat (though that account has now been suspended).
Before that, Pepper made headlines after receiving several sexual assault accusations. He was even banned from the Anaheim-based online video conference VidCon.
Still, there was no real explanation for his departure Monday, leading some followers to question whether Pepper's news is real or yet another prank.
When Sam pepper quits YouTube @KEEMSTAR @LeafyIsHere @FilthyFrank ITS JUST A PRANK BRO pic.twitter.com/OFPmJ2eQZH— ProfessionalMeme (@ChillMostly) February 22, 2016
Some speculated that Pepper may be suicidal.
As much as I dislike Sam pepper and hope he quits the Internet for good this time- I hope he's not suicidal& doesn't harm himself.— Grandma Sam (@SimplySam_23) February 21, 2016
But many just celebrated the news.
Yay. Sam Pepper's finally gone and left the internet. See ya, scumbag!— POMPEII PRODUCTIONS (@P_Productions10) February 21, 2016
And Sam Pepper quits the internet. Good day.— Cactus (@CactusIllo) February 22, 2016
When Sam pepper quits YouTube and it's the happiest day of ur life— Jenna S (@xxoojenna) February 22, 2016
Pepper did not respond to a request for comment.