Instagram allegedly doesn’t think will.i.am is in The Black Eyed Peas

Black Eyed Peas frontman, music producer, and creator of the terrible Puls smartwatch, will.i.am, has a bone to pick with Instagram.

The artist sent a tweet on Jan. 26 alleging Instagram had emailed him with what’s ostensibly a copyright claim for a video he posted that included his own music.

“We’ve removed the video you posted at 9:55 am on January 26, 2019 because it included the following content: VIBRATIONS pt. 1 pt.2 by The Black Eye Peas,” reads the alleged Instagram email.

“If you have permissions to share everything in the video including the audio, like the soundtrack or music, you can appeal the removal and have your video re-posted. Remember that people should only post videos they have the rights to share.”

The screenshot included with his tweet appears to be authentic. It has a big fat “Appeal” button in the email. 

It’s odd for a celebrity — especially one as popular and acclaimed as will.i.am and verified on Instagram — to receive a copyright claim for his own work.

While the Instagram email looks legit, there’s one detail that could be a sign that Instagram didn’t really send the email and will.i.am might have been the victim of a phishing attempt.

Though the sender clearly says “Instagram,” it’s unconfirmed if the email address is authentic. Anyone can name their email “Instagram,” but the address could be a fake one. 

We reached out to Instagram over email shortly after  the screenshot was posted and to will.i.am himself on Twitter to confirm the authenticity of the email. An Instagram spokesperson told Mashable today it “doesn’t comment on individual accounts.” 

Ultimately, the issue appears to have been been resolved — and seems to have been a “bug” that somehow slipped through the cracks. While Instagram didn’t comment on will.i.am’s specific case, the company told us it’s working with more artists to resolve any potential issues that are similar as it partners with more music companies to add more music.

Will.i.am may think Instagram should be “embarrassed” by the screw up, but mistakes happen. As powerful and efficient as machine-learning and algorithms can be, they’re not immune to error. Nor are humans.