Take-Two issues subpoenas to Microsoft and Discord to unmask GTA 6 leakers
The publisher has shuttered the CyberLeek website as part of an aggressive legal campaign to identify anonymous sources.
Take-Two Interactive has escalated its legal war against the individuals leaking details of Grand Theft Auto 6. The publisher is now using federal subpoenas to force major tech platforms to reveal the identities of the sources behind the "CyberLeek" persona.
According to reports from Eurogamer, Take-Two filed federal DMCA subpoenas targeting Microsoft and Discord. These legal filings demand internal records, user telemetry, and account data associated with the leakers, setting a strict deadline of September 4th for the delivery of this information. This legal offensive has already yielded results, as the primary CyberLeek website has gone offline following the company's actions.
The CyberLeek Operation
The crackdown targets a source that claimed to be acting in the interest of gamers' rights, specifically protesting the industry's shift toward digital-only gaming and the practice of pre-orders. However, the operation had a financial component; CyberLeek launched a Solana-based meme coin, $CYBERLEEK, to raise funds. The leaker claimed these funds were intended to support a "secret project" and build infrastructure capable of withstanding corporate retaliation.
Protecting the Crown Jewel
This aggressive strategy underscores the immense value of the Grand Theft Auto franchise. GTA 6 is one of the most anticipated pieces of software in history, and previous substantive leaks have forced Take-Two into a defensive posture. By targeting the platforms where leakers coordinate and distribute data, Take-Two is attempting to dismantle the ecosystem that allows anonymous leaks to proliferate.
Despite the volatility of these leaks, Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick has maintained that he is not concerned that these legal battles or the leaked content will negatively impact the game's eventual sales.
Industry Implications
The successful shutdown of the CyberLeek hub signals a shift in how publishers handle intellectual property theft. Rather than relying solely on cease-and-desist letters, Take-Two is demonstrating a willingness to use the federal court system to unmask anonymous actors. This sets a precedent that could deter future leakers by proving that anonymity on platforms like Discord and Microsoft-hosted services is not absolute when faced with federal subpoenas.
What Remains
While the website is down, the industry is watching to see if the September 4th deadline results in the identification and subsequent prosecution of the individuals involved. It remains to be seen if the "secret project" funded by the $CYBERLEEK coin exists or if the legal pressure will completely silence the remaining sources of GTA 6 information before the game's official release.