Cardano’s IOG warns users to avoid YouTube channel amid apparent hijack

Input Output Group cautioned users to avoid its official YouTube channel after the account began streaming what IOG described as a suspected AI-manipulated video of Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson. The company issued the advisory on its official X account, telling followers to stop interacting with the channel until further notice.

The livestream presented itself as a town hall for Project Catalyst, Cardano's decentralized community innovation fund and grant program, and remained active for almost two hours. The video allegedly directed viewers to scan a QR code and promised to "double your wealth," a claim that IOG implicitly signaled was part of the suspected manipulation.

In its warning, IOG specifically advised users not to click any links, send funds, or share personal information in response to content on the compromised channel. The company did not provide further technical details about how the channel was hijacked or whether the video was generated using artificial intelligence.

Cointelegraph contacted Input Output Group for comment. The outlet notes the incident amid broader concerns about deepfake and AI-facilitated scams targeting the cryptocurrency community, stressing the importance of independent verification of official communications.