Hollywood Loses $600M Annually to Social Media Attacks

Stars increasingly targeted by deepfake scams, account hacks, and impersonation, according to Spikerz report

Mar. 12, 2026 at 4:33pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A new analysis by social media security company Spikerz found that social media scams cost Hollywood $600 million every year, as cybercriminals exploit the enormous audiences surrounding stars, studios, and streaming platforms. The report identifies five major threats targeting Hollywood, including AI deepfakes, account takeovers, and impersonation scams.

Why it matters

With Hollywood's film industry generating over $65 billion annually, actors and studios now operate the world's most valuable social media accounts. This visibility has made them prime targets for cybercriminals seeking to hijack audiences, spread scams, or impersonate celebrities. As social platforms become central to marketing, protecting social accounts is becoming a critical part of reputation management for the entertainment industry.

The details

The Spikerz report lists the most frequently deepfaked stars and explains how their likeness is used in fabricated endorsements and hoax videos. Deepfakes are becoming harder to identify, with people correctly detecting high-quality deepfakes less than 25% of the time. Brands are also heavily impacted by deepfakes, with each incident costing a brand $500,000 on average. Social accounts are no longer just promotional tools, but direct communication channels to millions of fans, and when they're compromised, damage spreads instantly.

  • The Spikerz report was published on March 12, 2026.

The players

Spikerz

A social media security company helping brands and celebrities protect their online presence against account takeovers, impersonation scams, and harmful comments.

Naveh Ben Dror

The CEO and Co-Founder of Spikerz.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Hollywood spends millions creating moments people want to share. Attackers don't need to build their own audience. They can simply hijack the one a brand or celebrity already has.”

— Naveh Ben Dror, CEO & Co-Founder of Spikerz

“Social accounts are no longer just promotional tools. They're direct communication channels to millions of fans. When they're compromised, damage spreads instantly.”

— Naveh Ben Dror, CEO & Co-Founder of Spikerz

What’s next

The Spikerz report provides recommendations for Hollywood studios and talent to improve their social media security and protect against the growing threats identified in the analysis.

The takeaway

The entertainment industry's reliance on social media has made it a prime target for cybercriminals, costing Hollywood an estimated $600 million annually. Protecting social media accounts has become a critical part of reputation management, as compromised accounts can lead to immediate and widespread damage.