FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 9, 2025
Florence DJ and Business Owner Files Federal Lawsuit Against Meta Over Hacked Instagram Account
Florence, South Carolina – Local DJ and entrepreneur James R. Watson Jr. has filed a federal lawsuit against Meta Platforms Technologies, LLC, the parent company of Instagram, after a hacking incident allegedly caused severe disruption to his entertainment business and resulted in significant financial losses.
The lawsuit, Watson v. Meta Platforms Technologies, LLC et al, was filed on July 23, 2025 in the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina (Case No. 4:25-cv-08217). The case also names CSC Global, Meta’s registered corporate agent, as a third-party defendant.
According to court filings, Watson’s professional Instagram account — a primary tool for booking events and promoting his work as DJ J. Watts — was hacked, leading to canceled bookings, lost revenue, and reputational harm. Watson alleges that Meta’s response to his repeated requests for assistance was inadequate, consisting mostly of automated replies and no direct resolution.
“Instagram was my lifeline for connecting with clients and securing DJ bookings,” said Watson. “When my account was hacked, my business was crippled. The lack of real customer service from Meta left me with no way to recover my account or my income.”
The lawsuit seeks $283,882.99 in damages for lost income, emotional distress, and related business impacts. It also accuses CSC Global of failing to fulfill its duties as Meta’s corporate agent by not acting promptly or effectively when contacted about the matter.
Watson has also filed a motion to proceed in forma pauperis, requesting a waiver of court filing fees due to financial hardship. The court’s response to that motion is expected by August 6, 2025.
This case highlights ongoing concerns about account security, customer support, and corporate accountability for global technology companies. If successful, it could set a precedent for how courts view business-related social media account breaches.
For more information and updates, visit www.djjwatts.com.
Media Contact:
James R. Watson Jr.
Email: jwattslive@gmail.com
Phone: 843-687-1264