Full Breakdown
Take-Two Subpoenas Microsoft and Discord Over GTA VI Leak
8/22/2026, 7:54:37 PM
Core Event
On August 20, Take-Two Interactive, the parent of Rockstar Games, filed two DMCA subpoenas in the U.S. Southern District of New York demanding that Microsoft and Discord turn over extensive user data to identify the individual or group operating under the alias “CyberLeek.” The filings request account IDs, registration emails, IP addresses, phone numbers, linked Google and Xbox accounts, device identifiers and any OneDrive content tied to the leaks. Both subpoenas set a September 4 deadline for the companies to produce the requested records. The legal action follows gameplay clips posted online that appear to come from a pre-release build of “Grand Theft Auto VI” (GTA VI).
Background & Context
The leak saga began in mid-August when a user calling itself CyberLeek released short videos showing the game’s protagonist Jason driving, robbing stores and entering a strip club. The footage is watermarked with a meme-coin promotion, and the leaker’s website claims the token’s market cap will rise as more leaks are posted. Analysts note that the leaks nudged Take-Two’s share price down 2 % over the past week, though the company remains up 6 % for the year with a market capitalization around $45 billion. A 2022 intrusion that leaked over 90 clips was later traced to a teenager linked to the Lapsus$ group.
Timeline
- June 1 2026 – The subpoena window for Discord communications begins.
- August 19 – Take-Two’s IP paralegal files a takedown notice targeting a GitHub repository that hosted the leaked videos.
- August 20 – Subpoenas are filed against Microsoft and Discord.
- August 21 – New leak videos continue to appear, extending the leak streak to a fourth day.
- August 27 – A Netflix-exclusive “Extended Look” of GTA VI is scheduled to premiere.
- September 4 – Deadline for Microsoft and Discord to comply with the subpoenas.
- November 19 – GTA VI is slated for launch on Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5.
Data & Statistics
- Share impact: Stock fell 2 % after the leaks began; year-to-date gain remains 6 %.
- Valuation: Roughly $45 billion market cap.
- Memecoin metrics: Valued at about $1.5 million with a 24-hour volume of $1.4 million.
- Leak volume: Six gameplay clips and a Vice City map have been posted, each lasting one to two minutes.
Official Statements & Responses
Microsoft has not issued a comment. Rockstar Games has not publicly addressed the leaks or the legal filings beyond acknowledging the subpoenas in court documents.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I don't know anything. That isn't my editors discord. There aren't even any clips of the leaks in either of my Discords,” — Matthew Judge
- “Discord sometimes receives subpoenas related to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). We review and comply with valid subpoenas when we receive them, as is standard and routine for companies like ours.” — Scott Van Vliet, XBOX CTO
What’s Next
The September 4 deadline will determine whether Microsoft and Discord provide the requested data, potentially narrowing the identity of CyberLeek. The Netflix “Extended Look” on August 27 will give the public its first official glimpse of GTA VI, and the full game releases on November 19.
