Civic News

Instagram account used to ID witnesses had nearly 7,900 followers

Police are investigating an Instagram account that has identified more than 30 witnesses in violent crimes in the last several months.

A cop walks by Philly's criminal courts. Photo by Lindsay Lazarski for WHYY.

Police are investigating an Instagram account that has identified more than 30 witnesses in violent crimes in the last several months, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported. The account, called “rats215“, had nearly 7,900 followers. It’s since been shut down.

Police believe a 17-year-old is behind the account, the Inquirer reported.

It’s not a surprise that Instagram was being used for witness intimidation: the city district attorney’s office noted the trend this spring.

Read the whole Inquirer story here.

Companies: Instagram / Philadelphia Police Department

Before you go...

Please consider supporting Technical.ly to keep our independent journalism strong. Unlike most business-focused media outlets, we don’t have a paywall. Instead, we count on your personal and organizational support.

Our services Preferred partners The journalism fund
Engagement

Join our growing Slack community

Join 5,000 tech professionals and entrepreneurs in our community Slack today!

Trending

The person charged in the UnitedHealthcare CEO shooting had a ton of tech connections

From rejection to innovation: How I built a tool to beat AI hiring algorithms at their own game

Where are the country’s most vibrant tech and startup communities?

The looming TikTok ban doesn’t strike financial fear into the hearts of creators — it’s community they’re worried about

Technically Media