Ariana Grande sues hackers over leaks of 45 unreleased songs in 2023, hundreds since 2011
The pop star filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles on Monday, alleging hackers stole 45 songs in 2023 alone and have leaked hundreds of tracks since 2011, selling them on the dark web.
Lawsuit filed in Los Angeles
Ariana Grande filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles on Monday (July 27) against two unidentified hackers, referred to as John Doe defendants. The legal action, reported by US media, alleges the hackers accessed the computers of her photographers and producers to steal unreleased music, photos, and video footage. The stolen material was then sold "on the dark web for significant sums of money," according to court documents. The filing states that 45 unreleased songs were stolen and leaked in 2023 alone, and that since her 2011 debut, "hundreds" of similar leaks have taken place.
In 2023 alone, 45 unreleased songs belonging to Ms Grande were hacked, stolen, and leaked.
The lawsuit also details a 2019 theft of "still-in-production, unreleased masters and demos and footage," and two phishing attacks in 2024 that resulted in stolen unreleased photos. Grande's lawyers describe the pattern as "constant" cyberattacks that have targeted her throughout her career.
The scale of the leaks
The hackers targeted collaborators rather than Grande directly, exploiting access to material that was part of her creative process and not intended for public release. After obtaining the files, they sold the content on the dark web. The lawsuit claims the leaks have caused "substantial and irreparable harm" and violated the "sacred relationship" between Grande and her fans.
Neither Ms. Grande nor any other public or private figure should have to suffer such violations caused by these wrongdoers who hide in the shadows and wreak technological havoc with impunity.
The filing characterizes the thefts as "unlawful and egregious" and says the unauthorized disclosure is a violation of Grande's "identity and artistry." It notes that the stolen material includes "personal data and content" that was never meant for public consumption.
Grande's past comments on leaks
Grande has previously spoken about the impact of leaks. In a 2024 interview with the Zach Sang show, she addressed the song "Fantasize," written with Swedish producer Max Martin, which went viral on TikTok after being stolen. She said the track was written for a TV show and not for her own release.
Those were all written for a TV show, for something that was not for me, so Fantasize comes out, crazy, was stolen... These pirates, crooks, illegal!
She added, "I'll see you in jail. Literally."
Legal aims
The lawsuit does not name any known defendants. Instead, Grande is using the legal process to unmask the hackers, potentially through court-ordered subpoenas to internet service providers. The goal is to hold the perpetrators accountable and deter future leaks.
Ms. Grande initiates this action to uncover the identities of these currently unknown and unscrupulous individuals in order to hold them accountable for their invasive and reprehensible conduct.
The case seeks to end what the filing calls a "malicious invasion" of privacy that has disrupted her career.
- Grande's music debut; leaks begin, eventually numbering in the hundreds.
- Theft of still-in-production unreleased masters, demos, and footage.
- 45 unreleased songs stolen and leaked in a single year.
- Two phishing attacks steal unreleased photos; song 'Fantasize' goes viral after leak.
- Lawsuit filed in Los Angeles against John Doe hackers.
