Uncovering the Truth: Instacart Batches and Security Concerns

As a SEO expert, I often deal with the latest trends and issues that affect gig economy platforms. Recently, a question has been floating around regarding Instacart and its batch distribution system: Is it true that Instacart has been hacked and all good-paying batches for shoppers are put on a third party?

No, everything is working fine from my end, and as of my last update in August 2023, there have been no confirmed reports of Instacart being hacked in a way that affected its batch distribution system. However, issues related to account security and potential scams are common in gig economy platforms. To stay updated, I recommend checking Instacart's official communications or reputable news sources.

Customer Reports of Account Rental and Bots

One of the common issues reported by customers is the rental of accounts and the use of bots. A user named Xavier reported to CBS 2 that Instacart did not address their concerns about account rental and bot usage. Similarly, a Facebook user, Christine Rutledge, stated, 'Instacart Hacked'. At this point, it is difficult to determine the truth.

The issue seems to be related to a group of coders who have created an app that uses a bot to grab batches over a certain dollar amount. If a shopper shares their username and password, the bot will log in and automatically accept batches. The coders then take a percentage or charge a fee to the shopper, which gives them a significant advantage and usually results in higher earnings until Instacart analyzes the data and closes those accounts. Unfortunately, Instacart has not taken any effective actions to address this issue.

Understanding the Issue

To better understand the situation, there is a website that offers a paid service using a bot to grab batches over a certain dollar amount. This service can either gain access to an existing IC account through the bot or allow the person with the IC account to sell their batches to a non-verified person. This means no background check, and the batches can be sold to anyone.

Thinking of coding, the issue is also a problem with the restrictions on Instacart's APIs. Imagine setting up your bank account on Venmo; Venmo must secure access to your bank account through API calls. It's like using an app within an app. Unfortunately, this problem is not exclusive to Instacart. It has been going on for at least six months and has only become more noticeable now that the market is flooded with new orders and shoppers.

Instacart's Response and Future Actions

Instacart, in response, has not taken any significant action, which leads many to believe the issue is being ignored. However, they did write in a statement to CBS 2, 'This is not a hack or a breach, but reminds all users of the service not to provide personal login information to unauthorized third parties.' As of now, Instacart is moving towards other platforms like DoorDash and Amazon Flex, and they have already started banning suspected accounts.

Conclusion

While it might seem like the situation is worsening, it's important to stay patient. Instacart will eventually fix the restrictions on their API, and the situation will improve. In the meantime, it might be better to avoid sharing your login information and be cautious when dealing with third-party services. Here's a panda for your enjoyment: