Meta Cracks Down on Instagram Black Market: Lawsuits Expose Illegal Account Sales and Reinstatement Schemes
Meta sues over illegal Instagram account sales & reinstatement, targeting black market activity.
Matilda
Meta Cracks Down on Instagram Black Market: Lawsuits Expose Illegal Account Sales and Reinstatement Schemes
In a move signaling a firm stance against the illicit trade of Instagram accounts and services, Meta has launched two landmark lawsuits targeting individuals who allegedly profited from the platform's vulnerabilities. The lawsuits, filed in California this week, shed light on a thriving black market where Instagram usernames are bought and sold for exorbitant prices, and "unauthorized" account reinstatement services are offered, circumventing Meta's established protocols. This legal offensive marks a significant escalation in Meta's efforts to protect the integrity of its platform and uphold its terms of service, which explicitly prohibit the buying, selling, or transferring of any aspect of an Instagram account, including usernames. The first lawsuit targets Daniel Folger, a photographer and entrepreneur, who is accused of selling Instagram handles and offering unauthorized account reinstatement services. According to the lawsuit, Folger began his illicit activit…
