Courts / Ireland / Report

Instagram account at centre of student blackmail claim disabled by Meta, court hears

Summary

The High Court heard that an Instagram account alleged to have posted defamatory and altered sexualised images to extort a third-level student has been disabled by Meta Platforms Ireland Limited. The student, represented by John Temple BL, sought an injunction against Meta, which owns Instagram. Mr Justice Brian O'Moore granted permission to serve notice of the application. Meta's lawyers informed the court that following an investigation into the student's complaint, the account was found to be compromised and operated by an unnamed third party. Although the account was temporarily suspended and later cleared during a "checkpoint," Meta ultimately deemed it appropriate to disable the account. Meta stated it must be placed on notice of specific unlawful content to take action. The student claims the account holder sent his image alongside non-consensual genitalia to his contacts and demanded payment, threatening to "ruin your life" and "make your life miserable" if he did not comply. The student did not pay and reported the matter to the Gardaí. He alleges Meta initially stated the posts did not breach Instagram's Community Guidelines. Counsel accepted Meta's response reduced the urgency of the action but requested an adjournment to allow the client to consider the response. Mr Justice O'Moore consented to adjourn the proceedings for one week. The matter was adjourned.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Instagram account at centre of student blackmail claim disabled by Meta, court hears. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

• 2023-05-08 Publication

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Stage Hearing Or Decision

Read the original CNI report