Times When Indian Influencers Faced Shocking Social Media Hackers

The nightmare of getting hacked has come home to Indian influencers and creators. From losing access to their accounts to dealing with fake promotions and scams, they have faced it all from social media hackers.

Let’s read the stories of Indian influencers who were victims of social media hacking, how they handled the crises, and the lessons they learned.

Ranveer Allahbadia – Security Breach Shakes the Influencer Entrepreneur

In September 2024, Ranveer Allahbadia faced a severe security breach. Hackers breached his popular YouTube channels, alarming his massive follower base.

The hackers renamed his main channel “@Elon.trump.tesla_live2024” and his personal channel “@Tesla.event.trump_2024.” To make matters worse, they replaced a few of his videos with old streams featuring Elon Musk and Donald Trump. The incident taught him the importance of account security, even for influencers with millions of followers.

Tanmay Bhat – Double Trouble on YouTube and X

YouTuber Tanmay Bhat has faced not one but two hacking incidents. In June 2023, his YouTube channel was compromised, and hackers renamed it “Tesla Corp,” deleting all his videos. He quickly addressed the situation, warning his fans not to click on suspicious links.

Again, now in February, just last night, Tanmay’s X account was hacked by scammers who promoted a fake memecoin under his name. The post read: “I love memes and Solana, so I figured it was time for me to drop my own coin.” The comedian swiftly took to Instagram, cautioning his followers against clicking on any links. His message was clear: “My Twitter has been hacked. Please don’t click on any links. Working to fix it.”

Archana Puran Singh – “I Am Happy and Sad” – An Emotional Debut

Archana Puran Singh, known for her presence on The Kapil Sharma Show, took a bold step by starting her vlogging journey on YouTube. The excitement, however, was short-lived. Just hours after launching her channel, she faced an unexpected setback. On December 14, last year, around 2 AM, hackers mysteriously breached her channel, leaving her struggling to regain access.

She shared her frustration on Instagram, saying, “I got lakhs of views in just a few hours, but by 2 AM, someone hacked my YouTube channel. It’s completely deleted.” Despite the setback, Archana maintained her positive spirit, expressing gratitude for the love she received and came back stronger.

Farah Khan – A Double Blow on Twitter and Instagram

In December 2020, choreographer, director and influencer, Farah Khan experienced a nightmarish double hack. Her X and Instagram accounts were compromised, spreading malicious messages. Farah immediately informed her followers, warning them not to click on any suspicious links.

With the help of her husband, Shirish Kunder, she regained control of her Instagram account. Her X account, however, took a few more days to recover. She expressed her gratitude to the Maharashtra Cyber Cell for their help in restoring her online presence.

Sudarsan Pattnaik – The Sand Artist’s Cyber Struggle

Influencer, Padma Shri Awardee and international sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik faced a cyber attack when his X account was hacked. The incident came to light when he discovered that someone from Kolkata had compromised his account.

He reported the breach to the Cyber Police Station and requested that X authorities investigate. The incident highlighted that even non-controversial artists’ online presence is not immune to cyber threats.

What Can Influencers (and You) Learn from These Incidents?

• Strong Passwords and Two-Factor Authentication: Never compromise on account security.
• Vigilance and Quick Action: If hacked, alert your followers/friends to avoid further damage.
• Professional Help: Collaborate with cybersecurity experts to regain control.
• Reporting and Legal Action: Always report breaches to the relevant authorities to track the hackers.

Hacking incidents can be traumatic, especially for influencers whose livelihoods depend on their online presence. Yet, these creators have shown us that it’s possible to bounce back stronger. As digital consumers, we must be aware and cautious of social media hackers and support our favourite creators through thick and thin.