Social media is big business, but, is it big enough to risk it all? In a shocking New York Times editorial, The Times, managed to unravel the case of dozens of celebrities and public figures — racking up credit card balances for the sake of a social media following.
Read the shocking New York Times Expose
In the Times investigation, the newspaper managed to discover that there is a massive black-market type super marketplace that most often know nothing about. The expose dives deep into the practices of Devumi, a weirdly named American company that steals peoples photos to create fake accounts on social media — and in turn — makes millions by claiming to grow social media followings.
Interestingly, Devumi denies the claims entirely citing that “they never knew” people were buying fake followers from their company. Although, when The Daily News performed its own research into the company…. this was pretty clear.
We have received at least two e-mails for comment suggesting that we were or have been among Devumi ‘s customers. We have never bought followers from this company, and, actually have never heard of it until now.
Of the many famous faces who have bought followers from the shady company, ehum. Computer billionaire Michael Dell; Ray Lewis, Martha Lane Fox (a literal Twitter employee), Kathy Ireland and even more. Even more humorously, Louise Linton (the lady who can’t get her stories straight, and happens to be the wife of the U.S Treasury Secretary) also bought followers when her non-existent acting career was far-more stagnant than someone’s modern hopes of leaving the lower class for the first time in their lives.
Perhaps one takeaway from the investigation, is, that the world of Twitter and social media is indeed more dangerous than one could have previously known. Twitter, when contacted by The Daily News (alike others), wouldn’t confirm or deny whether or not such services and or bot-buying actually violated their Terms of Service in any format.
As the Times Notes, the economy surrounding the sketchy market is despite the controversy a big one.
The Rising Influencer Market
Devumi quietly serviced politicians; celebrities, reporters, governments far-and-wide. Notably, they served one particular ironworker in Wisconsin who wanted to unseat Paul Ryan (and we’re told by our political staff that he has now denied ever buying followers from Devumi..). This is one just one of many exampls of people so desperate for attention and fame, that, they will spend big bucks on how to become just that — wealthy and famous.
The pushback
State governments, including New York’s A.G have announced that they’re opening investigations into Devumi and their practices. While the company maintains that they’ve done nothing wrong, and, had no knowledge of the bot purchases — politicians aren’t buying it.
If you are a former Devumi employee, or, someone who knows more on this — email our team at [email protected]
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