The creation of a deceptive online profile on the Instagram platform involves constructing an account with fabricated or misleading information. This typically entails using a pseudonym, stolen imagery, or AI-generated content to misrepresent the identity or purpose of the account. For example, an individual might create such an account to monitor a former partner’s online activity without revealing their own identity.
The motivations behind establishing a counterfeit presence on social media are varied and span ethical and unethical applications. It can serve as a tool for anonymous market research, protecting personal identity while engaging in online discourse, or creating personas for role-playing communities. Conversely, these fabricated profiles can be employed for malicious purposes such as cyberbullying, spreading disinformation, inflating social media metrics, or engaging in fraudulent schemes. The practice predates Instagram, with roots in early internet chat rooms and forums, but has found a particularly fertile ground within visually-driven social networks.
