Creator Drama
Take-Two Subpoenas Microsoft and Discord Over GTA 6 Leaks
Ongoing
Photo: Sora Shimazaki, Pexels All clips and posts below are embedded from their original sources.
By the numbers: this timeline documents 8 events from Jun 1, 2026 to Sep 4, 2026, drawn from 2 sources.
“I can share an update on this,”
via egamers.io
Background
In August 2026, unreleased gameplay footage and map details for Grand Theft Auto VI (GTA 6) began circulating online. This material was allegedly posted by an individual or group using the alias 'Cyberleek,' among others. The leaks included content presented as genuine GTA 6 gameplay, which Take-Two Interactive Software Inc., the parent company of Rockstar Games, later confirmed through its legal filings to be legitimate and stolen copyrighted material.
The widespread distribution of this content occurred shortly before Netflix was scheduled to stream an exclusive 'extended look' at GTA 6, reportedly overshadowing Rockstar's promotional efforts. The 'Cyberleek' persona also allegedly used the attention generated by the leaks to promote a meme coin, as previously reported by Dexerto.
In response to the unauthorized dissemination of its copyrighted material, Take-Two Interactive initiated legal action under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). This process allows copyright owners to request information to identify individuals suspected of sharing their material without permission. The company's objective is to unmask the person or persons responsible for the leaks, leading to the filing of multiple subpoenas targeting major online platforms.
The subpoenas are not lawsuits accusing Microsoft or Discord of involvement but rather a mechanism to obtain user data.
The timeline
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Data Collection Period Begins
Take-Two Interactive's proposed subpoenas reportedly requested information on users who may have communicated in several Discord servers connected to the GTA 6 leaks since June 1, 2026. This date reportedly marks the beginning of the period for which Take-Two sought account, device, and cloud records from Microsoft and Discord. The requests allegedly covered details such as email addresses, phone numbers, login IP addresses, linked Google or Xbox accounts, device IDs, and records showing specifi[2519]
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Take-Two Files DMCA Subpoena Requests
Take-Two Interactive reportedly filed two separate Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) subpoena requests in a New York federal court. One request was reportedly aimed at Microsoft, and the other at Discord. These filings allegedly sought extensive records to identify the individual or group behind the GTA 6 leaks, specifically mentioning the 'Cyberleek' alias. The Discord filing also reportedly named CinematicRockstar and Surfer24k, along with replacement names cyberleek_west and surwest, as[2519]
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Court Approves Subpoena Applications
Judge Andrew L. Carter Jr. of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York reportedly approved Take-Two Interactive's applications. This judicial approval allegedly cleared the publisher to subpoena Discord and Microsoft for identifying details on users suspected of being connected to the GTA 6 leaks. The filings cited 'stolen content,' reportedly confirming the legitimacy of at least some of the leaked gameplay videos and maps posted by Cyberleek.[2522]
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Content Creator Matthew 'DarkViperAU' Judge Responds to Subpoena Mention
Matthew 'DarkViperAU' Judge, an Australian GTA content creator with a significant online following, publicly responded on X (formerly Twitter) to reports that his Discord information was reportedly being sought in Take-Two's subpoenas. He stated, 'Take-Two has filed multiple subpoenas seeking info to catch the GTA 6 leaker. They're asking for my discord info, I'm mentioned by name.' Judge explicitly denied any knowledge or involvement, adding, 'I don't know anything. That isn't my editors discor[2519]
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Discord States It Has Not Been Served
Discord's marketing director, Ryan K. Rigney, stated in a tweet that Discord had reportedly not yet been officially served with a subpoena from Take-Two Interactive. Rigney added that when served, Discord would 'evaluate the validity and scope before responding.' This statement appeared to indicate a potential delay or a different approach compared to Microsoft's reported willingness to assist, as the court had not publicly confirmed that either subpoena had been approved or sent out at the time[2519]
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Microsoft Welcomes Opportunity to Assist
In contrast to Discord's statement, Microsoft reportedly issued a statement welcoming the chance to assist Take-Two Interactive and Rockstar Games in tracking down the GTA 6 leaker. This indicated a differing initial response between the two targeted companies regarding the subpoenas, with Microsoft appearing more cooperative.[2522]
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Privacy Group Raises Concerns Over Subpoena Scope
The free speech and privacy advocacy group Reclaim The Net criticized the broad scope of the Discord subpoena. In a tweet and subsequent article, the group argued that copyright law was being used to 'hunt for identities' and could expose users who merely participated in conversations within Discord servers where the leak was discussed, rather than just those who leaked or uploaded footage. They highlighted that one of the named Discord servers had over 107,000 members and that the request sought 'all identifying information associated with all user accounts' that were members of three named servers since June 1, 2026, and participated in conversations. The group expressed concern that this approach targeted entire communities rather than being limited to direct infringers.[2522]
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Initial Deadline for Information Turnover
The Take-Two Interactive requests reportedly asked both Microsoft and Discord to provide the requested information that could help identify the person behind the leaks by September 4, 2026. This date reportedly marked the initial deadline set by Take-Two for the companies to comply with the subpoenas, although Discord had stated it had not yet been served as of late August.[2519]
Who is involved
Frequently asked
What is Take-Two Interactive seeking?
Take-Two Interactive is seeking extensive records from Microsoft and Discord, including IP addresses, phone numbers, linked Google and Xbox accounts, device identifiers, Microsoft telemetry, and relevant OneDrive files. This information is intended to identify the individual or group responsible for leaking Grand Theft Auto VI content.
Who is 'Cyberleek'?
'Cyberleek' is an alias used by the individual or group alleged to be behind the initial dissemination of unreleased Grand Theft Auto VI gameplay and map details online in August 2026. This persona is central to Take-Two Interactive's investigation, and the filings also name other aliases like CinematicRockstar and Surfer24k.
Has Discord complied with the subpoena?
As of late August 2026, Discord's marketing director, Ryan K. Rigney, stated that the company had not yet been officially served with a subpoena from Take-Two Interactive. Discord indicated it would evaluate the validity and scope of any subpoena before responding once served.
Is Matthew 'DarkViperAU' Judge accused of leaking GTA 6?
No, Matthew 'DarkViperAU' Judge is not accused of leaking GTA 6. His Discord server, specifically an 'editors' server, was mentioned in the subpoena filings as a location where Take-Two is seeking information. Judge has publicly denied any knowledge or involvement in the leaks, stating that his Discords do not contain any clips of the leaked material.
What is the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) process?
The DMCA process allows copyright owners, like Take-Two Interactive, to request information that could identify someone suspected of sharing their copyrighted material without permission. It is a legal mechanism used to enforce copyright and track down alleged infringers, not a lawsuit accusing the platforms themselves of involvement in the infringement.
Related drama
Sources
- dexerto.com, Take-Two Interactive has asked a New York federal court to issue DMCA subpoenas requiring Microsoft and Discord to turn over extensive records that could identify the person or group behind the recent, Aug 26, 2026.
- egamers.io, Discord is in no hurry to turn over anything. Following a flurry of reports claiming Take-Two is zeroing in on whoever leaked GTA 6, the chat platform hit back with a technical detail that carries rea, Aug 26, 2026.
Cite this timeline
This timeline compiles 8 dated events from 2 sources. If it helped your reporting, cite it:
GenZHype. “Take-Two Subpoenas Microsoft and Discord Over GTA 6 Leaks.”
GenZHype, 4 September 2026,
https://genzhype.com/drama/take-two-subpoenas-microsoft-and-discord-over-gta-6-leaks/.