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Ariana Grande Is Taking on Her Hackers—Once She Figures Out Who They Are
Ariana Grande is suing two unidentified individuals over the alleged hacking and leaking of her unreleased music, photos and videos, according to People. The lawsuit aims to unmask the perpetrators, whose identities are not yet known, and is also intended as a deterrent against similar privacy invasions and theft of creative work targeting artists more broadly.
The complaint states that 45 unreleased songs were stolen and leaked in 2023 alone, with hundreds of similar leaks occurring since Grande's 2011 debut, and alleges the hackers profited by selling the stolen material. In a 2024 interview, Grande had previously spoken angrily about studio sessions leaking onto TikTok before songs' official release. The lawsuit comes as she embarks on her first tour in seven years, with her new album, Petal, set for release this Friday.
In short
- Ariana Grande sues unnamed hackers over stolen unreleased music and footage.
- Complaint cites 45 leaked songs in 2023 alone, hundreds since 2011.
- Comes as her first tour in seven years and new album Petal launch.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Artists have fundamental rights to control and profit from their creative work. Systematic theft of unreleased material causes direct harm—both financially and creatively, undermining artistic autonomy and strategic release decisions. Legal action, including unmasking perpetrators, serves essential functions: justice for Grande and necessary deterrence protecting all creators. Intellectual property protection is vital to ensuring artists can sustain their livelihoods and maintain creative control.
The case against
Whilst the theft is genuinely unjust, aggressive litigation to unmask anonymous perpetrators raises legitimate concerns about privacy, due process, and practical effectiveness. Sophisticated bad actors often elude legal consequences across jurisdictions, rendering such cases resource-intensive with limited deterrent impact. More constructive alternatives might emphasise technical prevention measures, strategic fan engagement, and supply strategies that address legitimate audience demand, rather than enforcement-focused approaches that prove slow and uncertain in impact.
Explained simply
Ariana Grande is an American pop singer whose unreleased songs, photos and videos have been repeatedly stolen and leaked online by unknown hackers. The hackers have allegedly profited from selling this stolen material.
This pattern of theft has occurred repeatedly over Grande's career since 2011. The problem became particularly acute in 2023, when 45 of her unreleased songs were stolen and leaked online without her permission.
Artists typically make deliberate decisions about when and how to release their work as part of their career strategy. Unauthorised leaks undermine this control, and the problem extends to many other musicians whose unreleased material has been similarly compromised.
Celebrity Cybersecurity Entertainment Music Technology