HBO willing to pay hackers $250k bitcoin ransom—report
Game of Thrones. Image: HBO/Helen Sloan
Following a massive cyberdata breach that featured the leaked script of “Game of Thrones” and private information of some of its cast, HBO is reportedly ready to settle.
READ: Hackers demand millions in ransom for stolen HBO data
With more sensitive content expected to be leaked in the coming days, the network has reportedly offered a “bounty payment” of $250,000, Variety reported.
“Our demand is clear and Non-Negotiable: We want XXXX dollars to stop leaking your Data,” said a video message from the hackers, which was also reviewed by the news outlet.
“HBO spends 12 million for Market Research and 5 million for GOT7 advertisements. So consider us another budget for your advertisements!”
A hacker or group called “Mr Smith” claimed responsibility for the attack and has initially demanded to be paid the equivalent of six months of their salary—claiming they earn between $12 million and $15 million from stealing intellectual property and blackmailing companies.
Both Variety and The Hollywood Reporter also obtained a copy of HBO’s response, which expressed the company’s wish to extend their ransom deadline.
“As a show of good faith on our side, we are willing to commit to making a bug bounty payment of $250,000 to you as soon as we can establish the necessary account and acquire bitcoin,” the email read.
Furthermore, HBO executives have refrained from identifying the money as ransom, but rather as a “bug bounty payment,” which are rewarded to white hackers who expose flaws in their system.
As of this writing, HBO has yet to release a statement regarding the matter. Khristian Ibarrola /ra
