Is a celebrity account on TikTok acting suspiciously? They might have been hacked.
A hacker or group of hackers appears to be exploiting an undisclosed security issue to target high-profile TikTok accounts. According to a report by Forbes, accounts belonging to CNN, Sony, and Paris Hilton have been compromised.
Hackers are reportedly using malware transmitted through direct messages on TikTok, which activates upon opening the message. Interestingly, the hacked accounts have not posted anything yet, which is unusual for such hacks.
TikTok has acknowledged the situation but shared limited details. A ByteDance spokesperson stated, “Our security team is aware of a potential exploit targeting a number of brand and celebrity accounts. We have taken measures to stop this attack and prevent it from happening in the future. We’re working directly with affected account owners to restore access, if needed.” The spokesperson also mentioned that the number of compromised accounts is “very small.”
High-profile account hacks pose significant risks, as these profiles have large follower bases and can be used to spread malware or disinformation. For example, CNN’s TikTok account was taken down for several days, and the company is working with TikTok to enhance security measures.
Other social media platforms are also facing similar attacks. Recently, high-profile accounts on X have been hacked, including Microsoft India’s account, which directed users to a fake crypto site designed to steal funds.
TikTok, facing a potential ban in the U.S., has become a focal point ahead of the U.S. elections, with Donald Trump joining the platform and quickly amassing over five million followers, while President Biden’s campaign already maintains an account.
