Meta is giving its “verified” blue check to AI-generated…

Meta Verified status has been granted to at least 25 AI-generated Instagram accounts that pose as doctors and healers to promote misleading health advice. These synthetic personas, including one named Baba Matryona, collectively amassed over 389 million views while directing users to Amazon storefronts selling wellness supplements.

What happened

Maldita.es identified a coordinated network of 25 accounts using AI-generated personas to provide false health remedies for conditions such as kidney disease and high blood pressure. Despite Meta's policy requiring a valid photo ID for verification, these accounts obtained the blue checkmark, likely by exploiting an opening in the verification process that allows eligibility based on account activity and profile completeness. This verification grants the accounts increased visibility and algorithmic prioritization, which significantly amplified their reach.

The operation functions as a cross-platform monetization scheme. These accounts use Amazon associates tags—unique tracking codes in their bio links—to earn commissions on every product sale generated from their content. The operators behind these accounts confirmed they manage multiple profiles to maximize engagement and have indicated they would be open to selling these accounts for at least $30,000.

This activity appears to violate several platform rules. Meta’s terms state that Verified Standard Benefits are intended for personal, non-commercial use, yet these accounts are explicitly commercial. Furthermore, Amazon’s policies prohibit the promotion of deceptive materials. Critics argue that Meta’s failure to adequately authenticate these identities allows the platform to profit from the amplification of health disinformation, drawing comparisons to previous regulatory actions taken by the European Commission regarding deceptive verification practices.