时间：2025-03-01 00:58:10 来源：网络整理编辑：百科
Fake followers, fake likes: they've flooded social media in the past few years.While companies have
Fake followers, fake likes: they've flooded social media in the past few years.
While companies have taken action against fraud accounts, in New York, selling bots and fraudulent social media activity now could land you in hot water. In fact, it's against the law.
SEE ALSO:Despite 'transparency' claims, Facebook stops watchdogs from monitoring adsNew York Attorney General Letitia James announced on Wednesday it had settled with U.S. company Devumi, which had been under investigation following a New York Timesexposé which revealed its shady social media practices.
Tweet may have been deleted
The settlement makes selling fake likes and followers illegal in the state of New York. It's one of the first actions taken by a law enforcement agency against the practice.
"As people and companies like Devumi continue to make a quick buck by lying to honest Americans, my office will continue to find and stop anyone who sells online deception," James said in a statement online.
"With this settlement, we are sending a clear message that anyone profiting off of deception and impersonation is breaking the law and will be held accountable."
Devumi, which folded last August, was employed by a number of high-profile celebrities to help build their online following. Some clients knew the business used fake activity to boost online profiles, while others thought the increased engagement came from genuine people.
The investigation found in some instances Devumi scraped the accounts of real people without their consent to build fake profiles.
Of course, the fake follower business was a lucrative one: CNN notes that Devumi earned approximately $15 million in revenue, but the negative publicity following the Times' revelation led to the decline of its business, and eventually its closure.
TopicsSocial Media
Is Samsung's Galaxy Note7 really the best phone?2025-03-01 00:56
Facebook pulls 'Gay Communists for Socialism' group which trolled Trump supporters2025-03-01 00:21
Haunting Hubble image depicts a region where new stars are born2025-02-28 23:52
Future MacBooks might have little displays on each key2025-02-28 23:39
Is Samsung's Galaxy Note7 really the best phone?2025-02-28 23:25
Xbox Live Gold doesn't need a price change. It just needs to go away.2025-02-28 23:08
15 movies we can't wait to see in 20212025-02-28 22:32
Lucid factory finally starts making the Air EV2025-02-28 22:29
Tributes flow after death of former Singapore president S.R. Nathan2025-02-28 22:24
Spotify releases top streamed songs, artists, and podcasts for 20202025-02-28 22:21
Make money or go to Stanford? Katie Ledecky is left with an unfair choice.2025-03-01 00:49
How to watch Apple's 'One More Thing' event2025-03-01 00:48
How to turn off automatic Time to Walk downloads on your Apple Watch2025-03-01 00:32
The AirPop Active+ Halo is a true 'smart mask' for your lungs2025-02-28 23:34
Metallica to seek and destroy your eardrums with new album this fall2025-02-28 23:24
The Nobel Peace Prize 2020 winner has been announced2025-02-28 23:21
Happily never after: Why more romantic comedies need to embrace 'ending up' alone2025-02-28 23:08
The 14 best tweets of the week, including trucks, Pizza Hut, and Weird Al2025-02-28 22:36
Here's George Takei chilling in zero gravity for the 'Star Trek' anniversary2025-02-28 22:33
Trump's leaked recording set to the song from 'Rent' is a jam2025-02-28 22:28
