Meta won’t remove fake Instagram profiles used for obvious catfishing

Meta won't remove fake Instagram profiles used for obvious catfishing

January 20, 2024 at 07:26AM

Instagram has fallen short in addressing the rise of imposters and romance scammers misusing the platform. Instances of fake profiles impersonating real people are being dismissed, even after being reported and appealed, raising concerns about the effectiveness of Instagram’s content review process. Users are advised to take measures to safeguard themselves against impersonation.

From the meeting notes:

– There has been a significant increase in imposters and romance scammers on Instagram, and Meta is not effectively addressing the issue.
– A specific case was discussed where an imposter created a fake profile using someone else’s photos and identity, and despite clear evidence, Instagram did not remove the fake account.
– The meeting notes also touched upon a paid verification program by Meta, which is seen as a tactic to pressure creators into paying for account protection.

Recommendations from the meeting notes suggest the following actions to safeguard against imposters on Instagram:

1. Consider watermarking your photos with your real social media handle as a deterrent.
2. Be cautious of accepting follow requests from suspicious profiles, and report imposters via the Instagram app or web form.
3. Utilize reverse image search tools to identify impersonators early.
4. Refrain from sharing private photos and details with unverified individuals.
5. In cases of persistent impersonation, consider reaching out to Instagram’s legal team to report copyright infringement.

Ultimately, it’s recommended to encourage proper guidelines and best practices to combat impersonation and protect the online community.

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