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Two men booked in India for Game of Thrones leak of “Spoils of War”

Posted on by Luka Nieto

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When the latest episode of Game of Thrones leaked last week, we all thought it had to do with the recent HBO hack, but it turned out to be a completely unrelated incident. Apparently, a watermark in this low quality version of “Spoils of War” revealed the episode leaked from Star India, the channel which broadcasts the show in India.

Now, the police has gotten involved and the story has developed further.

Yesterday, daily Indian newspaper Mid-Day reported that two men have been booked by local law enforcement in relation to the leak of the fourth episode of season seven. The suspects are employees of Prime Focus Technologies, an Andheri-based firm that stores and processes Game of Thrones for Star India‘s online streaming service, Hotstar.

Once “The Spoils of War” leaked on August 4, the company did not sit on its laurels: after an internal inquiry, it was found the leak had taken place in its servers, with the ID of employees Abhishekh Ghadiyal and Mohammed Suhail. On August 10, Prime Focus Technologies reported them for “criminal breach of trust,” “common intention,” “damage to computer or computer system,” and “computer related offences” under the Information Technology Act of 2000, India’s main law dealing with cyber crime.

If this firm’s employees really are the culprits (instead of their IDs being stolen,) it’s surprising the leak issue was resolved so swiftly. Whatever the case, it’s nice to know there was a quick response, especially as it came voluntarily from the company involved. We can hope (as HBO must) this means an end to the relentless Game of Thrones leaks.

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Luka Nieto

68 Comments

  1. I hope it was these two & not a case of stolen ID’s. Leaking the episode could not be worth facing charges & jailtime! I can’t believe they didn’t even try to prevent or take steps to cover their tracks!
    Either way I am glad this behind us & we’re back on a level playing field as viewers & hopefully there will be no further leaking of our beloved GoT episodes!

  3. “We can hope (as HBO must) this means an end to the relentless Game of Thrones leaks.”

    Oh, we definitely shouldn’t get our hopes up. I expect the community to be plagued with leaks until the very end.

    GoT is a global phenomenon in a way that no other TV show has ever been, and the ASOIAF/GoT story is just generally speaking a story that generates an insane amount of discussion, curiosity, impatience, speculation, etc…

    There will always be people hellbent on hacking, spying on the cast while filming, stealing scripts, etc…

    And where there’s a will, there’s a way.

    Still, it’s good that in this particular case, the culprits were identified. It’s just sad that we now have a spoiler-obsessed culture of people who actively want to ruin the show for themselves and others.

    There’s a market for spoilers now. People actively want them. With such a demand, it’s no surprise that there’s such an offer.

  4. Excellent! 🙂 Here’s hoping that these two named individuals were actually responsible and not a case of stolen identities.

  5. Happy they moved fast to identify the leakers. It is hard to believe that two Ids were stolen. If that is indeed the case that company has bigger issues.

  6. I agree that leaks probably won’t stop & will continue til the end, but I really HOPE the episode leaks stop. I don’t mind the leaking of photos, even video, etc. for those of us that actively seek them out on here, Reddit & the like. It gives us fans something to do, read, speculate, discuss, etc during the endless waiting. But the episode leaks are too much & certain fans go too far. I’ve never experienced anything like the backlash I got for not watching it & saying so. One person posted video on my comment, another listed everything that happened & a few just verbally attacked me. I didn’t like the way people behaved, I guess is what I’m saying. No respect for others.

  7. I hope the speed in which this was resolved acts to deter others. Appreciate the update and the heads-up when it happened so those of us who want to avoid spoilers could amp up our “defection shields” or whatever!

  8. If these two are found guilty at their trial… I hope the justice system “Throws the book at them” 😀

  13. Has the title of episode 6 been confirmed as ‘Blood of the Dragon’? If so, I’m convinced that is the chapter Jon Snow becomes Jon Targaryan in the eyes of the Westerosi world.

  16. BranTheBlessed,

    I was just going to post this! 😀 Drogon seems intrigued by his cousin! Jon’s face is priceless, and he has tremendous courage facing up to Drogon the Black Dread!

  17. BranTheBlessed:
    Has the title of episode 6 been confirmed as ‘Blood of the Dragon’? If so, I’m convinced that is the chapter Jon Snow becomes Jon Targaryan in the eyes of the Westerosi world.

    I doubt that’ll happen until Season 8.

  19. Man, I want to see Jon with a dragon on one side and Ghost on his other. Nymeria’s a female and was bloody huge. Ghost should grow even bigger.

  21. Corruption and incompetence are so endemic in some countries that it’s a miracle there aren’t more leaks. That’s the reality, even if it isn’t pleasant to acknowledge it and even though there are many great people who are working towards change.

    At my company, we have learned not to distribute physical copies of anything to certain countries. We stream everything there from where we are. I was very surprised to find out that HBO actually gives anything to an office in India. There’s always going to be someone susceptible to bribery at some part of the process. It’s impossible to know if all potential sources of leaks are covered.

    In one situation, we had someone contact the owner of a building we were renting to say that there was a water leak. The owner contacted his usual plumber and the plumber had accepted a bribe to take documents. There was another case where the son of a local dignitary intimidated a security guard into letting him access a room.

  27. Ninjabear:
    I hope these leaks stop, I know they won’t I’m just glad it ain’t affecting the ratings

    I don’t understand why anyone is bothering to leak at this point. There are so many spoilers out there already if you want to know how the season is going to go you can find out. I’ve been following the spoilers and they’ve all been pretty much right. I think at this point I know how the whole season will go. What’s left to spoil?

  31. BranTheBlessed: Another preview of the episode

    Wow. Who needs Bran or Sam doing the legwork? Is Big D (that is Big D right, not R or V?) noticing his Targness or his undeadness?

  35. Dee Stark,

    Dee. In all seriousness, joking aside. I have been thinking about this episode a lot. And I’ve come to the conclusion that at this point in the season, this particular episode could be a doozy.

    What do you think? 😉

  36. Pigeon,

    I rewatched this season a couple nights ago to today. I’ve reached the conclusion that this season is just great. I think I wasn’t sure at first because it felt a bit rushed. But, it truly is exceptional. Of course, I’ve also reached the conclusion that tv shows aren’t meant to be watched week to week. Should be binge watched all at once.

  37. Chuck,

    Hahahaha
    You’re the best

    Listen I have no idea what to expect I didn’t even watch the preview….. but I truly think it will be a doozy!!!!!!!!!!!

    Have you read stuff and know what to expect ??

  38. Dee Stark,

    Aaaand she’s back with a shitload of hype!! 😂😂 Counting down the remaining 22,000 seconds here as well…
    Wauw, you didn’t even see the “Next on” for this episode or what??

  39. Dee Stark,

    Nah, I’m not into spoilers. Nothing against them persay, I understand the urge to know what’s coming, but that urge has never really hit me with regard to tv shows. As a book reader, I knew what was coming for many seasons. Quite frankly, it is nice to not know what’s up for the end game. I embrace and welcome it.

  42. People that give their thoughts and “predictions” on what’s going to happen next but secretly know the leaks. You’re next!
    Use spoiler codes for them please.

    Made a mistake clicking on a YouTube channel that had let’s guess and theorize the next episode and what do you know… they were all 95% accurate lol
    Beware of those false Nostradamus out there my sweet summer children. A Mummer’s farce

  43. Btw. – for any unsullied in here: I’ve tried the GoT leak blocker plugin somebody recommended last week. Skeptical at first, but it’s really effective and adjustable!

  44. Dee Stark: No I didnt!!!!! Keeping it all a surprise

    HOLY SH** YOU’RE HARDCORE!!! I just can’t turn away from “Next on” when it pops up right after the episodes 🙂 But that’s my only “spoilery” weakness…other than that it’s all guessing and hyper-excitement!

  47. King Podrick: People that give their thoughts and “predictions” on what’s going to happen next but secretly know the leaks. You’re next!
    Use spoiler codes for them please.

    Yes…I second that!

  48. Dee Stark:
    Dead Dane Walking,

    I know I’m totally hardcore

    Ya the previews are not spoilers! But I like the surprise

    I’ve seen the pics for this season, I watch the previews, the video breakdowns afterwards that tend to offer up speculations on what they think will happen next, and I make my own speculations, too.

    I hate to admit that I have been wrong at every turn; BUT, I have yet to be disappointed, so there’s that.

    In other words, I’m still surprised! Every damn time! Love it.

    Next season, I may try to be more like you…you know nothing, Dee Stark, and you are clearly having a blast!

  51. Erica

    The only thing I find spoilery from things that are officialy released are the Previously On videos. Those have ruined a lot of the surprises the last few seasons.

    Kind of funny in a way actually. They put so much effort trying to prevent us from knowing whats going to happen, only to ruin it themselves seconds before the episode. 🙂

  52. firstone:
    If these two are found guilty at their trial… I hope the justice system “Throws the book at them”

    Maybe they choose trial by combat?

  53. Erica: Next season, I may try to be more like you…you know nothing, Dee Stark, and you are clearly having a blast!

    You might not be alone with that thought, Erica. I’ve been thinking about walking the same path in 2018(19?), as I worry more and more season 8 leaks will reach unseen levels and be absolutely everywhere!

    Luckily WotW seems to withstand the pressure from the outside so damn well… It’s almost as if spoilery comments and the use of Greyscale has disappeared from these common articles, right?! …even in times of entire episode leaks 🙂

  54. Dee Stark:
    Dead Dane Walking,

    I know I’m totally hardcore

    Ya the previews are not spoilers! But I like the surprise

    What has me most curious and worried is all the dialog about Jon’s heart, Daenery’s heart, Misssandei’s heart, and Littlefinger’s heart… and Arya now has a valyrian steel dagger.

    The spoils of war is the shortest S7 episode but I think it had a lot of foreshadowing. I hope The spoils of War foreshadowing is for season 8 E6 because I want to see these people for at least another 9 hours.

  55. The Wolves of Winter:
    Erica

    The only thing I find spoilery from things that are officialy released are the Previously On videos. Those have ruined a lot of the surprises the last few seasons.

    Kind of funny in a way actually. They put so much effort trying to prevent us from knowing whats going to happen, only to ruin it themselves seconds before the episode.

    True.
    From the “previously on” segments, you can ascertain who will make an appearance and which story will get some play. I see the irony you’re pointing out.

    I just can’t, for the life of me, figure out how it will ultimately go, so I can deal with it.

    But yes, if you want complete, unsullied surprise, that portion must be avoided, too.

  56. My favorite season 7 scene so far is the scene with Jon Snow Ser Davos Seaworth and Missandei talking about Queen Daenerys. The conversation is just brilliant.

    King Snow? King Jon? hmmm that doesn’t sound right. I wonder why???? 😀

  57. Dead Dane Walking: You might not be alone with that thought, Erica. I’ve been thinking about walking the same path in 2018(19?), as I worry more and more season 8 leaks will reach unseen levels and be absolutely everywhere!

    Luckily WotW seems to withstand the pressure from the outside so damn well… It’s almost as if spoilery comments and the use of Greyscale has disappeared from these common articles, right?! …even in times of entire episode leaks

    “…use of Greyscale” Hahaha…very clever.

    You’re right about this site being great at avoiding those pressures. I may not be qualified to judge this site overall, though, because I only found it following the conclusion of season 6. I can say, however, that this site has never spoiled anything for me. In fact, it’s enhanced the show for me, especially since I’m the lone fan in the house.

    I may have to give it all up for the final season, though. Just in case…

  58. firstone:
    My favorite season 7 scene so far is the scene with Jon Snow Ser Davos Seaworth and Missandei talking about Queen Daenerys. Theconversation is just brilliant.

    King Snow? King Jon? hmmm that doesn’t sound right. I wonder why????

    And Jon’s response: “It doesn’t matter.”

  59. firstone,

    Hm well…I usually have an alright memory of what’s been said and done, but that only rang a bell by two of those four names…Not sure I want to know more 😉

    Don’t worry. You’ll have more than 9 hours left with 70, 80 and 90 minute episodes from here on, but not with all four characters I’m afraid…

  60. Erica: “…use of Greyscale” Hahaha…very clever.

    Just for the record: It certainly is clever, but I can’t take credit for that one 😉 It’s been around for quite a while on WotW.

  62. Erica: And Jon’s response: “It doesn’t matter.”

    Haha I really love Jon’s response because he really doesn’t care about titles and power. Something many in the series crave. In his heart the only thing that matters is getting everyone together for this coming threat.
    One of my favorite scenes was when Danny and Jon were by the long steps of DS and she tells him “we all enjoy what we’re good at” and his reply was “I don’t” and Danny gives him a look.
    Jon looks like he’s really tired of fighting but it seems thats the only thing he knows he’s good at. The battlefield is the only place that makes him feel alive which is quite sad.

  67. Ant,

    Didn’t US press leak not one, but 4 episodes of season 5, though? In every country there’ll be someone who can be bribed.

  68. Interesting reading through this one given the current leak of episode 6 from Spain and in full HD too! Probably the two most hyped episodes outside of the finale are leaked, has that ever happened before?

    I’m going to do my best to avoid major leaks for the final six episodes but given the production crew now have the scripts and outline I fear it’s only a matter of months before things start to come out.

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