● Covered by 1 source · 1 reportMedium impact1 negative
Instagram users targeted by scammers demanding ransoms over fake copyright claims
Key points
- Scammers file fake copyright claims against Instagram accounts.
- Accounts face suspension or removal due to repeated claims.
- Extorters demand money to withdraw the false claims.
- Meta's appeal process is criticized for being slow.
Fake Copyright Claims Lead to Account Suspensions
Instagram creators are experiencing account suspensions and removals due to fraudulent copyright claims filed against their content. These bogus claims are used by extorters who then contact the affected users, demanding ransoms to withdraw the complaints. Repeated claims can lead to account bans on the Meta-owned platform.
Ransom Demands and Slow Appeals
One Instagram user with 1.5 million followers reported paying a scammer $50 to regain access to their account, citing that Meta's appeal process would take weeks and result in significant income loss. The BBC has seen messages from claimants demanding money or threatening further copyright strikes. Meta stated its systems are designed to protect users and that affected content has been restored with additional safeguards.
Criticism of Meta's Response
Content creators criticize Meta for its inability to identify obviously fake claims and for a slow appeals process, unless users pay a monthly fee. Olly, creator of the 'Lost in Time History' Instagram account, stated he receives dozens of 'obviously fake' complaints, often from the same email address, despite posting public domain content or having permissions. Meta does not verify the authenticity of complaints upon submission.
✨ This summary was generated by AI from the outlets' reporting listed below. It is not independently verified and may contain errors — check the original sources. How BrevFeed works →
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Reporting from
Instagram creators are losing money and accounts due to scammers filing bogus copyright claims and then demanding ransoms to withdraw them. Meta's appeal process is reportedly slow, leading some users to pay extorters to restore their accounts quickly.