Nullbulge, a hacker group, has publicly released over a terabyte of data from Disney’s Slack platform. The group claims responsibility for the hack, stating it was motivated not by money but by a desire to denounce practices within the entertainment giant.
- Disney appears to have been the target of a significant hack, with over a terabyte of data reportedly leaked.
- The hackers claim ethical motives, seeking fair compensation for artists, especially concerning new artificial intelligence technologies.
- The company remains discreet, stating it is investigating the matter.
The reasons for the anger
According to The Hollywood Reporter, this collective (which cybersecurity researchers suggest may be just one person) claims to be “a group of hacktivists who protect the rights of artists and ensure fair remuneration for their work.”
The released information includes internal company communications, images, identifiers, studio data, advertising campaigns, and other materials. Also exposed are details of secret projects, notably an upcoming collaboration with Epic Games on Fortnite and a new Alien game. A spokesperson for the American firm stated that “Disney is investigating this matter” but declined to provide further comments.
Quoted by the Wall Street Journal, Nullbulge stated that it targeted this company “due to its management of contracts with artists, its approach to AI, and its disregard for consumer interests.”
The hackers clarified that they published the data directly without expecting anything from the company, stating, “If we had told Disney, ‘Hi, we have all your Slack data,’ they would have immediately blocked us and tried to eliminate us. In a confrontation, it’s better to strike first.”
The precedent of Sony’s hack
This case occurs within a tense context influenced by new artificial intelligence technologies. Artists have voiced concerns that these models can appropriate their voices and creative works without compensation. This issue was central to the Hollywood actors’ strike last year.
It also echoes the significant hack that targeted Sony Pictures in 2014. At that time, hackers associated with North Korea compromised internal systems and exposed emails, sparking widespread controversy. Amy Pascal, the co-president, resigned several months later due to fallout from the incident.
