Despite being best known for his role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe franchise as Tony Stark, a tech-savvy engineer and hacker, Robert Downey Jr. became the latest celebrity victim to have his social media account hacked.
The Avengers: Endgame star’s 43.2 million followers on Instagram were left confused after Downey greeted them with a post offering free iPhones and Apple Watches: “I’m giving away 2000x FREE iPhone XS & MUCH MORE on my Instagram story RIGHT NOW! Claim them before they’re ALL gone!”
RDJ’s Instagram biography was also briefly edited to include a link. Fans who clicked it would be directed to a form asking for personal information.
In an attempt to make it look like the actor was actually giving away iPhones, PlayStation consoles, Amazon gift cards, and Tesla Model X cars, the hackers have even added these gadgets to RDJ’s Instagram story highlights.
Robert Downey Jr.’s instagram account got hacked. from r/marvelstudios
The 54-year-old MCU legend went over to Twitter to warn fans to avoid his Instagram page for the time being.
“I’m sorry to say my Instagram has been compromised… Please steer clear for the time being until it’s sorted. Thank you all. I love you 3000,” RDJ tweeted.
I’m sorry to say my Instagram has been compromised… Please steer clear for the time being until it’s sorted. Thank you all. I love you 3000.
— Robert Downey Jr (@RobertDowneyJr) September 6, 2019
Although RDJ’s Instagram account appears to have returned to normal and the posts aimed to scam fans were removed, it remains unknown how exactly the hackers managed to gain access to the account in the first place.
RDJ’s followers on Twitter flooded his apology post with “love you 3000” responses, while some joked “Tony Stark would hack them back.”
“Thanx for coming online to tell us we didn’t know u were hacked we thought u were trying to sell 2,000 iphones,” another joked.
This week has been particularly hard for Marvel fans. The take over of RDJ’s Instagram account came shortly after the loss of Jeremy Renner’s personal app. Jeremy Renner, beloved around the world for his role as Hawkeye in the MCU, launched an app in March 2017 for fans who used the Instagram-like feed to see photos of Renner, post their own stories, and interact. The app was quickly overrun by internet trolls hacking and posting under Renner’s name. After things got way out of hand, Renner announced on Wednesday that he would shut down his app.
