Mysterious Instagram Account Posing as Apple CEO Tim Cook Fools Company Execs, Now Taken Down

Highlights

• Fake Tim Cook Instagram account emerges and gains followers, including Apple VPs.
• The account had posts related to iPhone photography and a 3DPets campaign.
• Sources confirm the account is not created by Tim Cook.
• Fake account has now been deleted, questions linger about why Apple execs followed it.

Amidst all the uproar surrounding the newly rebranded Twitter (now known as X), Phil Schiller, an Apple Fellow, decided to join Instagram and Threads last month.

Other Apple leaders have also marked their presence on Instagram, but CEO Tim Cook was conspicuously absent—until a seemingly new account under his name emerged in July 2023.

Tim Cook’s Alleged Instagram Debut

Tim Cook, who has been active on Twitter since 2013 and is also a user of the Chinese microblogging service Weibo, seemed to have branched out to Instagram.

The account posted its first content on August 20, commemorating World Photography Day with iPhone shots.

A second post, dated August 23, advertised a recent campaign with 3DPets. Unlike Phil Schiller, Tim Cook has not been known for sharing personal content on social media, making the account appear credible.

The Account Is Confirmed to be a Sham

Shortly after the original reporting, sources close to the matter confirmed to 9to5Mac that Tim Cook did not create the Instagram account.

Intriguingly, Apple VPs like Lisa Jackson and Alan Dye were among the followers of this phony account.

Several other Apple employees also seemed to be duped. Apple is reportedly working to have the account removed.

Update: The Fake Account Has Been Removed

In a recent development, the fake Instagram account purporting to be Tim Cook has now been deleted.

Yet, questions remain about why Apple executives followed the fraudulent profile in the first place. Apple’s official Instagram account continues to share iPhone photography, separate from this incident.

FAQs

Did Tim Cook join Instagram recently?

No, the Instagram account that appeared to be Tim Cook’s has been confirmed as fake.

Who else from Apple is on Instagram?

Other Apple executives like Phil Schiller have Instagram accounts, but Tim Cook remains absent from the platform.

Who was following the fake Tim Cook account?

Various Apple VPs and employees, including Lisa Jackson and Alan Dye, were following the fake account.

Has the fake account been removed?

Yes, as of the latest update, the fake Instagram account has been deleted.

Also Read: Made-In-India iPhone: Foxconn Begins iPhone 15 Production In Sriperumbudur Tamil Nadu Plant

Also Read: iPhone 15 Possible Production Cuts: Reported Insights into Apple’s Supply Chain Challenges