Take-Two Interactive has initiated legal action to unmask the individuals behind the recent Grand Theft Auto 6 leaks. The publisher has filed subpoenas with both Microsoft and Discord, seeking user data and account records connected to the dissemination of leaked material. This move aims to identify the "cyberleek" persona believed to be responsible for sharing early gameplay footage.
The legal filings, detailed in a Kotaku report, state that Take-Two has submitted a sworn declaration confirming the purpose of the DMCA subpoena is to obtain the identity of the alleged infringer. Microsoft and Discord have until September 4 to furnish the requested information. For Microsoft, this includes "business records and investigative records associated with Microsoft’s internal investigation of the ‘cyberleek’ persona sufficient to identify the user(s)." On the Discord side, the company is expected to provide "all identifying information associated with all user accounts that are/were members communicating with the Discord server(s)" linked to the leaks.
The publisher's aggressive pursuit of the leakers underscores the financial and reputational impact of such disclosures. Take-Two's market capitalization reportedly experienced a $2.8 billion decrease in the wake of the leaks, although the company's overall market cap remains around $45 billion and its share price has since recovered. The publisher has a documented history of taking strong action against those who compromise its intellectual property, a stance reinforced by previous incidents such as Nintendo's actions against individuals selling Switch ROMs.
Despite these legal efforts, new Grand Theft Auto 6 leaks continue to emerge. Most recently, a two-minute clip showcasing a supercar driving through Vice City was released, demonstrating the game's visual fidelity. This latest leak occurred despite speculation that the leaker might have already been apprehended. Earlier reports had already begun to uncover clues about the leaker's identity, even without the backing of extensive legal resources, suggesting that Take-Two's intervention could lead to a swift resolution in identifying the responsible parties.