X Sues Two Bitcoin Influencers Over Bot Army That Exploited Creator Payouts
X'S LAWSUIT AGAINST BITCOIN INFLUENCERS OVER BOT NETWORK
X has initiated legal proceedings against two Bitcoin influencers, Vivek Kumar Sen and Zamyang Sherpa, in London's High Court, alleging that they orchestrated a sophisticated bot network to exploit the platform's Creator Revenue Sharing Program. The lawsuit, filed on September 17, 2026, accuses the defendants of stealing at least £207,384 (approximately $278,000) through coordinated efforts involving multiple accounts. This legal action highlights X's commitment to protecting its revenue-sharing initiatives and ensuring fair engagement among its creators.
DETAILS OF THE BOT ARMY ACCUSED OF MILKING X'S CREATOR PAYOUTS
The bot army implicated in X's lawsuit consists of six primary accounts, alongside at least three additional booster accounts. These accounts allegedly posted nearly identical Bitcoin-related content within seconds of each other, indicating a high level of coordination. Furthermore, the lawsuit details that the accounts utilized Stripe payment systems registered under mismatched names, which raises concerns about the legitimacy of the transactions and the intent behind them. This organized approach to content creation and revenue generation is at the core of X's complaint against the influencers.
HOW X'S CREATOR REVENUE SHARING PROGRAM WAS EXPLOITED
X's Creator Revenue Sharing Program was designed to reward content creators for their contributions to the platform. However, the lawsuit alleges that the bot network exploited this system by generating artificial engagement. By using automated accounts to post content and interact with other users, the influencers were able to manipulate the payout structure, siphoning off funds intended for legitimate creators. This exploitation not only undermines the integrity of X's revenue-sharing model but also poses significant challenges in maintaining a fair ecosystem for all users.
THE LEGAL IMPLICATIONS OF X'S ACTIONS AGAINST INFLUENCERS
The legal implications of X's lawsuit against the influencers are significant. By taking action against Sen and Sherpa, X is setting a precedent for how it will handle fraudulent activities on its platform. The case could potentially lead to stricter regulations and oversight of creator payout programs, as well as increased scrutiny of user accounts and their activities. If X is successful in its lawsuit, it may also deter other potential fraudsters from attempting similar schemes, thereby reinforcing the platform's commitment to protecting its creators and their earnings.
X'S RESPONSE TO THE BOT ARMY AND FUTURE OF CREATOR REWARDS
In response to the fraudulent activities associated with the bot army, X has already taken steps to shut down the Creator Revenue Sharing Program as of September 7, 2026. The platform has replaced it with a new initiative, the Original Content Rewards program, which aims to exclude "artificially generated" engagement from its payout calculations. This move signifies X's proactive approach to safeguarding the integrity of its creator rewards system and ensuring that only genuine content creators benefit from the platform's monetization features. As X navigates this legal battle, the future of its creator rewards will likely focus on transparency and authenticity, fostering a more equitable environment for all users.