The Rise of Sextortion Scams: Meta’s New Measures to Combat Cybercrime
Meta has recently announced some groundbreaking measures to combat the rise of sextortion scams, which have been identified as the fastest-growing cybercrime affecting thousands of Facebook and Instagram users. According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), sextortion cases have seen a significant 300% increase over the past three years.
One of the key initiatives introduced by Meta is the enhancement of detection measures to identify potential sextortion accounts. New elements will now be displayed on connection requests, highlighting possible red flags that users need to be aware of before connecting with others.
For instance, connection requests sent to teen users on Instagram will now include details such as account activity duration, location, and mutual followers. These new signals aim to empower young users to make informed decisions about whom they connect with, thereby thwarting potential sextortion scammers.
Furthermore, Meta is rolling out new restrictions on who can view a user’s follower list, preventing scammers from exploiting this feature for blackmail purposes.
According to Meta, accounts displaying scammy behavior signals will no longer have access to view people’s follower or following lists, reducing the scammers’ ability to exploit this feature for extortion.
Meta is also implementing restrictions on screenshotting and screen recording of ephemeral images and videos while expanding its blur feature for detected nudes. This move aims to enhance user privacy and prevent the misuse of sensitive content.
Moreover, Meta is expanding its collaboration with NCMEC and Thorn to develop new educational resources to help teens identify signs of sextortion scams. A new video has been created to educate young users on the warning signs and preventive measures against such scams.
The video directs teens to instagram.com/preventsextortion for helpful tips and resources co-developed by Meta and Thorn, as well as access to NCMEC’s Take It Down tool and Crisis Text Line support in the US.
Meta plans to promote this video to millions of teens and young adults in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia, countries commonly targeted by sextortion scammers.
With the alarming increase in sextortion cases and the coordinated efforts of scammers targeting young users, Meta’s proactive approach to enhancing security measures and providing educational resources is crucial in mitigating the impact of these malicious activities.
Earlier this year, Meta took action against several groups involved in sextortion activities, removing profiles and accounts associated with these scams. By continuously updating its tools and policies, Meta aims to create a safer online environment for its users.