This post was written by Leslie Day

Welcome to Ask AP529 where YOU get to utilize OUR brain wrinkles to find answers to your most burning BTS questions. This question comes from Stefne of the AP529 Admin team. She asks:

What is the best way to report malicious content about BTS and its members to HYBE?

We all know the history: BTS started as the industry underdogs. But while their status has changed, the nature of the industry hasn't—the group still faces constant attacks. From "antis" to toxic solo stans, misinformation and blatant libel remain unfortunately common.

ARMY has always been the first line of defense. Previously, reporting malicious content meant sending emails to company lawyers. Over the years, those legal teams have been highly successful in prosecuting defamation and squashing baseless rumors, and they consistently credit ARMY for providing the necessary evidence.

Streamlining the Process

Last year, HYBE made this process significantly more efficient by launching a dedicated reporting website: https://protect.hybecorp.com/

Pro-Tip for the Portal: When you first visit the HYBE Reporting Portal, learn from my mistake! Don’t rely on your browser’s auto-translate feature. Instead, use the site’s native language toggle (located in the menu) to select English, Japanese, or Chinese. Using auto-translate can often "break" the dropdown menus, preventing you from submitting your report.

What to Report (and What to Ignore)

It’s important to use this tool effectively. We shouldn't report content simply because we personally dislike it. Much of the internet thrives on "clickbait"—speculative content designed purely to farm engagement. Often, the best move is to ignore these posts so we don't give them the attention they crave.

However, you should report content that involves:

Defamation: Articles or videos claiming to have "proof" of rumored activities not disclosed through official channels.
Copyright Violations: Any media or merchandise that illegally monetizes HYBE’s intellectual property.

Confused? Don’t worry! We’ll go over the reporting categories in more detail in the step-by-step reporting guide below.

The report form found at https://protect.hybecorp.com/

Step-by-Step: Navigating the HYBE Reporting Portal

Step 1: Select the "Type of Report"

HYBE categorizes reports into specific areas. Here are the most common ones you’ll use:

Malicious Posts: Content intended to harm a member’s reputation.
Slander / Libel / Profanity: Malicious viral posts or attacks using profane or explicit language.
Rumors / False Information: Fabricated stories. Remember: for the love of Bangtan, don't believe everything you read!
Sexual Harassment: Unwelcome advances on official accounts or verbal/physical harassment of a sexual nature.
AI / Deepfake Abuse: AI-generated audio or visuals not labeled as such, or created to defame the members.
Stalking: Loitering, following members, or sending "gifts" to private residences. This includes the illegal buying/selling of flight information.
Threats to Safety: Any verbal or written threats of physical or psychological harm.
Copyright Infringement: Unauthorized use of Music, Video, IP (logos/portraits), or bootleg merch.

Step 2: Prepare Your Evidence

Before you hit submit, make sure you have the following details ready. Having these organized helps the legal team act faster:

Title: Give your report a clear, concise label (e.g., "Slanderous TikTok video regarding [Member Name]").
Contents: Provide a brief, factual description of what is happening in the content.
Location of Material: Select the platform (Twitter/X, YouTube, etc.) from the dropdown menu.
URL: The direct link to the offending post or website.
Screenshots: Clear images of the material including the URL in the screenshot if possible.
Username: The specific handle of the person who posted it.
Date: When the material was originally posted.

Step 3: Submit Your Report

Once your evidence is uploaded, you’ll simply need to check the box confirming the information is accurate. With a final click of the Submit button, you’ve done your part.

By using the portal correctly, we ensure the legal team can work efficiently to protect BTS and all artists under the HYBE umbrella. Let’s continue to be the shield that guards their hard work and well-being. Thank you for doing your part!

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CREDITS

YouTube/Web: HYBE LABELS

Ask AP529 | Episode 8: How to Report Malicious Content to HYBE