Social media was originally
conceptualized as an online space where one can get in touch with other people –
friends, family, co-workers, idols and (conversely) fans – in an environment
that facilitates communication. That ideal has long been subverted and
exploited by mean-spirited or sinister users that have made exploring a social
media platform potentially dangerous. Pinoy rock band Parokya ni Edgar
understands this well, since last May their official Facebook page was hijacked
by hackers and used to distribute explicit images to its followers, essentially
making it a porn site. After over a month of fretting, the Parokya’s nightmare finally
ended.
Inquirer.net reports that the band Parokya ni Edgar finally
regained control of their Facebook account after six weeks of it being seized
online by malicious hackers. They jubilantly announced the good news to their
fans in a written post, and then an uploaded video from front-man Alfonso “Chito”
Miranda, all added to their page on the evening of Thursday, July 11. Chito
explains that it took them this long to regain control due to a lengthy
exchange of customer service communication with the Facebook administrators,
following the surprise incident that stripped Administrator Status from all
members of the Parokya from their page, essentially preventing them from
posting and editing anything.
The mystery party that hijacked
the PNI FB page then began utilizing the account to disseminate explicit images
to the newsfeed of all Facebook users that follow the band. No actual new
content was posted to the page; rather, the page was being used to share the
images routed from other corners of the social media network. The Parokya was
initially unsure of how to resolve the dilemma until they decided to contact FB
help to restore their admin status. But knowing what action to take and
actually doing it can be different, contrasting experiences.
Chito Miranda noted that they had
to comply with a number of requirements provided them by Facebook customer
service, including a notarized statement of the band’s proprietorship of their
official page on the social media service. He also talked about multiple email
exchanges, and the irregular response rate of FB help in fixing their
situation. The lengthy duration in which control of the PNI FB page was restored
to their rightful creators can be symptomatic of the current quagmire that
Facebook and other social media platforms have in keep their unruly troll members
under control.
Miranda made a formal apology to
the band’s Facebook followers who may have been inconvenienced by the hacker’s
blitz of explicit media. He promised that the Parokya will take greater care
and more responsibility in securing their official account from any future
attempts to hack.
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