Delhi High Court Orders Meta To Share User Details, IP Logs In Suit Over Fake Copyright Strikes

The Delhi High Court has directed Meta Platforms Inc. to furnish subscriber information and IP logs relating to people alleged to have misused its copyright reporting system to extort digital content creator Mohammed Nawaz Shaikh.

Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani passed the order in a suit filed by Shaikh against unidentified persons. The plaintiff alleged that one of them operated through fabricated identities.

Shaikh filed the suit seeking a permanent and mandatory injunction to restrain unidentified persons allegedly behind the copyright complaints from filing false, fabricated or backdated claims against his content, accounts, and digital properties.

Counsel submitted that the plaintiff is "a widely recognised digital content creator and educator" who publishes original content on AI commentary and personal branding guidance on Instagram.

It was submitted that since March 2026, an unknown entity acting through fabricated identities had allegedly misused Meta's copyright reporting architecture by lodging false copyright complaints against the plaintiff's original works.

Acting solely on these complaints, Meta allegedly removed his content repeatedly and suspended his verified Instagram account.

Counsel told the court that the plaintiff was able to recover his account only after giving in to extortion demands allegedly made by defendant no. 1.

It was further submitted that the account was suspended a second time in June 2026 following fresh copyright complaints made by the same entity through another defendant. During this period, the plaintiff was introduced to a person who claimed he could restore the account.

Counsel placed on record email communications showing that the persons involved, after making fake copyright strikes, had allegedly blackmailed and extorted money from the plaintiff to restore his account.

Shaikh also pointed out that Meta's own stand was that no copyright complaint was pending against his Instagram account. Despite this, the account remained suspended pending an internal review. He said it had remained suspended for about a month and a half, leaving him unable to carry on his occupation.

The court issued a notice on Shaikh's application seeking an ex parte ad interim injunction.

The court directed Meta's counsel to obtain instructions and, if necessary, file a brief affidavit on the current status of the plaintiff's Instagram account before the next date.

It also directed Meta to furnish the Shaikh's counsel with basic subscriber information and IP logs relating to persons identified as defendant nos. 4 to 9 within two weeks. It said the information would enable the plaintiff to take further legal action against them.

The matter has been listed next on July 29, 2026.