RantCrush Top 5: August 8, 2017

The people that hacked TV network HBO and released an unaired episode of “Game of Thrones” over the weekend are now demanding a multimillion-dollar ransom to stop future leaks. The hackers are threatening to release full episodes of the TV show as well as a trove of internal emails and documents. A video message from someone called “Mr. Smith” was sent to HBO chief executive Richard Plepler, urging him to pay up within three days or else the network’s shows and corporate information would be posted online.

HBO has been secretive about how much information the hackers have accessed. But the so-called Mr. Smith said he would only deal directly with “Richard” and demanded a six-month salary in Bitcoin. The hackers claim to make $12 to $15 million a year. The stolen information allegedly includes “confidential” documents detailing legal claims against HBO, technology plans, letters to top executives, as well as the email addresses and phone numbers of GoT actors.

Hackers demand millions in ransom from HBO, threaten to upload entire TV series onlinehttps://t.co/czJZ1RSpZq#hboleak #hbohack pic.twitter.com/r4rhOdmhLP

— HT Entertainment (@htshowbiz) August 8, 2017

Emma Von Zeipel

Emma Von Zeipel is a staff writer at Law Street Media. She is originally from one of the islands of Stockholm, Sweden. After working for Democratic Voice of Burma in Thailand, she ended up in New York City. She has a BA in journalism from Stockholm University and is passionate about human rights, good books, horses, and European chocolate. Contact Emma at EVonZeipel@LawStreetMedia.com.