Recent months have seen an alarming increase in account hacks on Facebook and Instagram, putting the privacy and finances of millions of users at risk. This trend has sparked a wave of concern, particularly in the United States, where 40 states and the Washington Capital District called on Meta in an email to take urgent action against abuse by cybercriminals. New York Attorney General Letitia James highlights that Meta's vulnerabilities, especially after the elimination of thousands of security and privacy positions, leave the field open to fraudsters. The situation has worsened to such an extent that the number of fraud complaints in New York alone has increased by a thousand percent since 2019.
The loss of personnel as a security risk
The lack of staff at Meta directly impacts the security of user accounts. Fraudsters use this vulnerability to gain access to accounts, read private messages and impersonate their owners. This not only undermines trust in the platforms. It also has serious consequences for victims. The abuse ranges from viewing private pictures and messages to financial damage if the hacked profiles are used for commercial purposes. Many users report illegal withdrawals and the misuse of their accounts for paid advertising or fraudulent sales campaigns.
Meta's response and future challenges
Meta responds to the allegations by pointing out significant investments in personnel and technology to identify illegally taken over accounts. The company emphasizes providing help and advice to users to respond to possible threats, as well as cooperating with authorities. These measures are part of a larger conflict in which 41 states and Washington filed a lawsuit against Meta in October.
Questions and answers:
Question 1: What are the main causes of the increase in account hacks on Facebook and Instagram?
Answer 1: The main reason is the lack of staff at Meta, especially after layoffs in the area of security and data protection, which makes it easier for cybercriminals to break into user accounts.
Question 2: How does Meta respond to the increasing number of account hacks?
Answer 2: Meta invests in personnel and technology to identify and prevent illegal account takeovers and offers users assistance and tips on protecting their accounts.
Question 3: What impact do the hacks have on victims?
Answer 3: The impacts range from invasion of privacy, such as access to private messages and images, to financial damage through illegal withdrawals or misuse of accounts for fraudulent purposes.
Question 4: What demands do the US states make of Meta?
Answer 4: They call on Meta to take more effective measures against the rapid increase in account hacks and ensure the safety of users.
Question 5: How has the number of fraud complaints changed?
Answer 5: In New York alone, the number of fraud complaints has increased by a thousand percent since 2019.
Conclusion
The escalating wave of account hacks on Facebook and Instagram poses a serious threat to user security and trust. The recent developments highlight the urgent need for Meta to strengthen its security measures and take a proactive role in protecting its user base. The call to action from 40 US states marks a critical point in addressing the security risks of digital platforms. All stakeholders, including users, must be aware of the risks and work together to ensure privacy and financial integrity in the digital world.
Source: reuters
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Notes:
1) This content reflects the current state of affairs at the time of publication. The reproduction of individual images, screenshots, embeds or video sequences serves to discuss the topic. 2) Individual contributions were created through the use of machine assistance and were carefully checked by the Mimikama editorial team before publication. ( Reason )