Hackers have exploited Meta’s AI-driven support chatbot to gain access to prominent Instagram accounts, the company acknowledged on Monday, following revelations by cybersecurity researchers. Targets included notable accounts such as Barack Obama’s White House profile, the beauty giant Sephora, and the Chief Master Sergeant of the US Space Force, as reported by 404 Media. Over the weekend, several regular users also took to Reddit and X to share their experiences of similar account takeovers.
Security researchers and various hacking groups disseminated instructional content, including videos and screenshots, on Telegram showcasing methods for account theft. A particular video circulating on X demonstrated a hacker directing Meta’s AI to associate a hijacked account with a new email address. The bot confirmed that a verification code had been dispatched to the new address and prompted the hacker to enter the code in the chat.
Upon entering the correct code, the hacker received an option to reset the targeted account’s password. In one instance, the hacker employed a virtual private network to mask their location, circumventing Meta's protective measures.
In response, Meta issued a statement declaring, “This issue has been resolved, and we are securing impacted accounts,” although it remains uncertain how many accounts were compromised in this incident.
This event raises significant questions about the reliability of AI technology for safeguarding sensitive information such as passwords. Earlier this year, Meta introduced the AI support assistant across Facebook and Instagram as part of its broader initiative to enhance the role of AI within its platforms. A press release at that time highlighted the assistant’s capabilities to perform various tasks, including reporting scams, impersonation accounts, and managing problematic content, such as password resets.
Meta characterized the AI support assistant as a significant advancement in their efforts to enhance user support across their applications, illustrating the company’s commitment to integrating AI features more extensively in its services.


