Take-Two subpoenas Microsoft and Discord to unmask GTA 6 leaker
Rockstar's parent company is playing legal hardball, demanding the identities of the person who leaked early GTA 6 gameplay footage — and who's been selling ads on the stolen clips.
The 60-second version
Take-Two Interactive has filed subpoenas against Microsoft and Discord to force them to reveal the identity of the person who leaked GTA 6 gameplay footage and has been monetizing it through ad sales.
Key points
- Take-Two is seeking account details, IP logs, email addresses, and payment records from both Microsoft and Discord
- The leaker reportedly sold advertisements on the stolen GTA 6 footage, turning the leak into a revenue stream
- The subpoenas are court-issued and legally binding, forcing the platforms to comply or challenge the order
- This represents a significant escalation beyond standard copyright takedowns into potentially criminal territory
Verdict. Take-Two is playing the long game. The subpoenas against Microsoft and Discord show they're not just taking down leaked content — they're actively hunting the person behind it. For anyone thinking of leaking major game content, this is a clear warning: the legal system is coming for you.
The leak that won't go awayFrom stolen clips to monetized content
In September 2022, the gaming world was rocked when over 90 videos of early Grand Theft Auto VI gameplay surfaced online. The footage showed a rough development build — untextured buildings, placeholder animations, debug menus — but it was unmistakably the next GTA. For Rockstar, a company that guards its projects with near-military secrecy, it was a catastrophe.
Fast forward to 2026, and the story has taken a new turn. Take-Two Interactive, Rockstar's parent company, has filed subpoenas against Microsoft and Discord demanding they hand over identifying information about the person who posted the leaked footage. The twist? The leaker wasn't just sharing — they were reportedly selling ads on the leaked videos, turning stolen content into a revenue stream.
Who's in the crosshairsWhat the subpoenas actually demand
The subpoenas — which are court-issued and legally binding — request a wide range of data from both Microsoft and Discord. This includes account registration details, email addresses, IP logs, payment information, and any communication records tied to the accounts used to distribute the leaked GTA 6 footage. In legal terms, Take-Two is building a complete digital profile of the leaker.
Neither Microsoft nor Discord is accused of wrongdoing. They're simply the platforms the leaker used. Under US law, companies like these receive subpoenas regularly and generally comply, though they can push back if the request is overly broad. The key question is whether the data will lead Take-Two to a real person — or a dead end behind a VPN and a burner email.
The monetization factorWhy selling ads changes everything
What makes this case particularly unusual is the monetization angle. The leaker reportedly didn't just post the footage to a file-sharing site — they set up ad-supported pages where the videos played with pre-roll advertisements. That means they were generating income from content that they knew — or should have known — was stolen. This transforms what might have been a copyright takedown into a potential criminal fraud case.
Leaking a Rockstar game is risky. Selling ads on it? That's a whole new level of bold.
What this means for GTA 6Security, secrecy, and the road ahead
For fans waiting on GTA 6, this legal saga is both a distraction and a signal. Rockstar has already tightened internal security — the 2022 leak led to changes in how development builds are distributed internally. But this new legal action suggests the company is still hunting for the source, possibly years after the fact. That implies either the investigation is slow-moving, or Take-Two believes the leaker is still actively causing harm.
The broader implication is clear: Rockstar and Take-Two are willing to spend years and significant legal resources to protect their intellectual property. Anyone thinking of leaking content from other major upcoming titles should take note. The legal net is wide, and it's not going away.
Primary sourcesEurogamer·Rock Paper Shotgun·PC Gamer