Hello Maé, it’s a pleasure to speak with you. As you know, at Certiphy.io, our goal is to protect content creators like you from the risks of identity theft, plagiarism, and unauthorized copying. Thank you again for agreeing to share your experiences on this topic. Could you introduce yourself and tell us about your background?
Hello, my name is Maé, I create and share lifestyle content with a community of over 447K followers on TikTok and around 65K on Instagram (@maeebrun).
As for my background, I studied at a business school in France, and it was during that time that I started experimenting with social media. I was fortunate to see my community grow rapidly, so I decided to give influencing a try while keeping a part-time job. In the mornings, I work as an employee, and in the afternoons, I dedicate my time to social media! Right now, I’m also working on growing my Instagram community, which is more challenging because the platform requires more polished and less spontaneous content compared to others.
Have you ever had your content stolen from your social media?
Yes, unfortunately, it has happened to me, and I found out about it completely by accident. A follower informed me that a TV channel had reused one of my videos without my consent, where I was unboxing Sony Angels figurines. She said, “Look, Maé, you’re on TV!” I was very surprised and quite upset. After some back-and-forth, the channel responded unfavorably, stating that it was legal and citing a law, so the matter was “resolved” on their end.
Additionally, a fake platform used one of my videos to promote a fake Sony Angels flash sale, tricking many people into placing orders but never receiving anything. Thanks to the intervention of another influencer who exposed the scam, I realized once again that my videos had been misused. It’s frightening to think how often our content is stolen and used without our consent!
What lessons have you learned from these experiences?
These are always delicate situations. Followers get tricked into thinking they’re buying real products, and as influencers, we can’t help them. It also affects our credibility. When I discovered the fake account using my Sony Angels unboxing video, I immediately contacted an agency that helped me get the video removed to protect my image and my followers. This shows how important it is to be vigilant and take steps to protect our content.
Do you think this can ruin someone’s credibility?
I wouldn’t say it can completely ruin credibility, especially if the stolen videos don’t get much visibility. However, it can definitely harm trust among some followers, which is understandable. Even though the influencer isn’t at fault, it can create misunderstandings.
Have you heard of other influencers you know personally being victims of identity theft?
Not among my direct acquaintances, or at least they weren’t aware of it. But I’m certain it’s very common. I often see videos of creators complaining that their content has been reused or misappropriated by other accounts.
Recently, there have been many examples of identity theft, especially with the use of generative AI. Do you think this could increase cases of content theft?
Yes, it’s inevitable. With the rapid advancement of technology and the growing number of content creators, these problems are bound to increase. Generative AI makes things even more complicated as it allows for the creation of highly realistic fake content.
Do you often discuss content or image theft with other influencers?
Yes, especially in connection with collaborations with brands. Sometimes brands use our content and post it on their websites without our consent. For example, an influencer I know saw a brand using extra videos without her approval after a collaboration, which was not part of the original contract.
Would systematic protection of content become a shared necessity for all influencers?
Absolutely. The more of us who protect our content, the more it will strengthen the security of the entire community. Influencers with larger audiences have every reason to use protection solutions.
