Instagram has started notifying users whose accounts may have been affected by a recent security incident linked to Meta AI, which reportedly allowed hackers to gain unauthorized access to user profiles.
The issue came to light after multiple users reported that attackers were exploiting a vulnerability in Meta’s AI-powered support system. According to reports, cybercriminals used simple chatbot interactions to convince the AI that they owned targeted Instagram accounts and requested that those accounts be linked to email addresses under their control.
In certain cases, the chatbot reportedly approved these requests, allowing attackers to reset passwords and take over accounts. Some affected users were subsequently locked out of their profiles.
The campaign is believed to have targeted a range of accounts, including profiles with highly sought-after short usernames. Reports also indicated that several high-profile accounts were impacted during the incident.
Meta confirmed earlier that the vulnerability had been fixed. However, additional reports of account takeovers emerged even after the company announced the patch, raising concerns among users.
In a later update, company representatives stated that some users might receive password reset notifications or be required to answer security questions when attempting to access their accounts. The company also confirmed that affected accounts had been secured and that password reset emails were being sent to impacted users.
The company has not disclosed the total number of accounts affected by the security breach.
Several users shared screenshots of warning emails received from Instagram. The notifications informed users that suspicious activity had been detected and that the platform believed their accounts may have been compromised. As a precautionary measure, affected users were instructed to reset their passwords and review their account security settings.
The incident highlights the growing cybersecurity challenges associated with AI-powered systems and the importance of robust security measures to protect user accounts from emerging threats.
As investigations continue, the platform is working to secure affected accounts and assist users in regaining access where necessary.
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