I thirst for Like was enough for 100.000 users of the popular Instagram photo network, who voluntarily handed their account keys to the service to become famous. App InstLike promised to exponentially increase preferences for uploaded photos, a promise that users saw as an opportunity to stand out in the vast network.
When prompted for input of InstLike app sign in, users were informed that "We are not stealing your account. The Instagram does not allow the use of its self-serving API, so our Auto Liker uses it login and Password direct".
The app was available on the App Store (until October 25, 2013) and on Google Play (έως τις 7 Νοεμβρίου 2013). Πάντως, το app παραμένει διαθέσιμο online through other avenues.
When Symantec security experts found and used InstLike found that their account automatically started Like third party photos, without the user's consent (as expected). As explained in a related post, like and followers sold by the hundreds or thousands instead of 100 dollar (1 Likes, 100 dollar, 1 Likes for 5000 dollars, one follower 50 virtual coins, 10 coins for 100 dollar).
However, practice seems to yield and thus makes useless like - Symantec estimates that Instagram 9 millions Like were automatically created by the InstLike robot, ie Like can give a false impression, while defamating as many pictures as they won with their sword .