Everyday Māori creator regains Instagram account after scam, Meta urged to do better

Māori creator Hēmi Kelly has successfully regained access to his Instagram account, which boasted 77,000 followers, after it was compromised by scammers. The account's recovery followed intervention by the Herald newspaper after direct contact was made with Meta, the parent company of Instagram.

Kelly, known for his work in promoting Māori culture, faced the distress of losing his significant online platform. The scam targeted his account, leaving him unable to access his content and connect with his audience. The situation highlights the vulnerability of social media accounts, even those with substantial followings, to sophisticated fraudulent activities.

Following the Herald's inquiry, Meta facilitated the return of Kelly's account. This incident has prompted calls for Meta to enhance its security protocols and implement more robust measures to combat scams effectively. The recovery serves as a temporary relief for Kelly, but the underlying issue of platform security remains a concern for creators worldwide.