Disney Studios has said that unnamed hackers have taken the Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales film hostage, and are threatening to release it in 5-minute chunks unless the studio pays them ransom.
Earlier, Variety reported that Bob Iger, CEO of Disney, announced to all employees that an unnamed film had been stolen by hackers, and that they were demanding ransom in BitCoin. While the amount hasn’t been disclosed, it is reported the sum is large. One BitCoin is worth approximately USD 1700, or INR 1,10,000. Bob Iger also assured his employees that Disney would not pay up. Disney said they were working with the FBI to resolve the issue.
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Deadline later confirmed that the film that was being held hostage is the latest in the Pirates franchise – Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales.
Earlier, Netflix’s original show Orange Is The New Black too was hacked into and held to ransom. Netflix refused to pay, and the entire 5th season – which is yet to be broadcast officially, was dumped online for free download. The hackers also claimed they have three other shows in their control and are threatening to dump them as well.