Breach, Data Security

HBO investigating how ‘Game of Thrones’ leak occurred

Just a day before HBO's popular television series Game of Thrones aired this Sunday, four episodes of the highly anticipated fifth season were leaked online.

Dubbed the most-pirated television show last year, the fantasy series appeared to uphold its title when the leak occurred. TorrentFreak estimated that within the first three hours of leaking, the episodes were downloaded more than 100,000 times by eager fans.

In response to the incident, HBO told Deadline in a Sunday statement that the leaked episodes “originated from within a group approved by HBO receive them.”

“We're actively assessing how this breach occurred,” the company added.

It is unclear if the approved group, some suspect press receiving early copies, was targeted by an outsider – or if the occurrence is a classic case of someone with access willingly sharing the content.

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