The leaked Grand Theft Auto 6 trailer that appeared on Twitter in December 2023 with a “Buy $BTC” watermark is now being linked to an individual known as Skenkir. According to internet investigator ZachXBT, Skenkir allegedly gained access to a YouTube admin panel, allowing him to view the unlisted video before it was supposed to be released. This unauthorized access led to the early leak of the trailer with the Bitcoin plug overlaid on top, forcing Rockstar Games to release it prematurely.
ZachXBT revealed that Skenkir has a history of involvement in over 40 high-profile SIM swap attacks, targeting notable figures such as Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin, musician Steve Aoki, and crypto critic Peter Schiff. Screenshots of online interactions from Skenkir prior to the trailer leak were also shared by ZachXBT. Despite this information, ZachXBT did not respond to Decrypt’s request for comment on the matter.
Following the leak of the GTA 6 trailer, YouTube conducted an internal investigation to determine if the leak originated from their backend systems. This investigation comes at a time when YouTube has faced previous privacy and security issues, including instances of employees breaching contractual agreements by accessing content on the backend. The leak of the GTA 6 trailer is just another example of the challenges faced by tech companies in safeguarding confidential information.
Game leaks are not uncommon in the industry, as evidenced by the premature announcements of games at recent events like the Sony PlayStation State of Play stream. Reports of backend access to YouTube accounts date back to 2013, indicating ongoing challenges in maintaining data security. However, both YouTube and Rockstar Games have not yet responded to requests for comments on the situation, leaving many unanswered questions regarding the leak of the highly anticipated GTA 6 trailer.
Overall, the leaked GTA 6 trailer with a “Buy $BTC” watermark has stirred controversy and brought attention to potential security vulnerabilities on platforms like YouTube. The actions of Skenkir, the alleged leaker, shed light on the risks associated with unauthorized access to confidential materials. As the investigation into the source of the leak continues, it serves as a stark reminder of the importance of robust cybersecurity measures in protecting sensitive information from malicious actors in the digital age.
Discussion about this post