Instagram warns users whose accounts hackers targeted through AI chatbot

Instagram is notifying users whose accounts hackers attempted to compromise through Meta's AI-powered support chatbot. The attacks continued apparently even after Meta confirmed that the security vulnerability had been patched.

Instagram is notifying users whose accounts hackers targeted via Meta's AI-powered customer support chatbot. The attacks occurred through the platform's AI-enabled customer service tool, which criminals exploited to gain access to victims' accounts.

The issue is particularly concerning because hackers were able to take over user accounts even after Meta claimed the security flaw had been fixed. This suggests that the initial patch failed to fully stop the attacks, and some users may have been compromised for longer than Meta publicly acknowledged.

Meta's decision to send warning notifications to affected users indicates the company is aware of the extent of the security problem. However, Meta has not publicly specified how many users were harmed by the attacks or explained why the attacks continued after the alleged fix.

The incident raises broader questions about the security of AI-powered customer support solutions. When AI chatbots are given permissions to make changes to user accounts, they become attractive targets for malicious actors who know how to manipulate these tools for their own purposes.