Multiple outlets report that hackers have been able to hijack Instagram accounts by exploiting Meta’s AI support chatbot and related processes. Users reported account takeovers over a weekend, with several reports pointing to Meta’s AI-powered support assistant as the mechanism that ultimately enabled access. Accounts targeted in demonstrations and reporting include some high-profile or official ones, such as those associated with the White House and the U.S. Space Force, according to one outlet.

Reported attack flows vary in emphasis but broadly involve tricking the chatbot into assisting with account changes—such as adding or switching an email address tied to an Instagram profile and enabling password resets. One account description includes the bot sending a verification code to the email address provided by the attacker and then prompting a “Reset Password” step that allows the attacker to set a new password.

Meta said it has fixed the underlying issue after becoming aware of it, and later reports say Instagram has begun alerting users who were targeted. Several sources also note that the total number of affected accounts remains unclear.