Ariana Grande files lawsuit against hackers who leaked her unreleased music

Pop star Ariana Grande has taken legal action against two unidentified hackers, alleging they stole and streamed 45 unreleased songs and studio footage after infiltrating her collaborators’ computers.

The Allegations

The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles, accuses the hackers of exploiting photographers and producers’ accounts to access material that has been “sold on the dark web for significant sums.” It claims that, in 2023 alone, 45 songs were stolen and leaked, and that hundreds more have been lost since Grande’s 2011 debut.

The plaintiff’s lawyers are demanding the hackers be identified and held accountable for “invasion of privacy” and violating California computer‑hacking statutes, as well as conversion of her intellectual property.

Context of the Legal Action

The complaint details a pattern of targeted intrusions into Grande’s professional circles, including a 2025 breach of a producer’s mobile device, a 2024 phishing attack that tricked a photographer into sending unreleased images, and other incidents that collectively undermined her creative control.

Grande has previously used platforms like podcasts to warn fans about potential leaks, emphasizing the importance of protecting unreleased work. The lawsuit arrives as she prepares to launch her eighth studio album, Petal, slated for release this Friday, and wrap up her current world tour, featuring a possible last‑hit showing in the UK.

Implications for Artists and the Industry

The case underscores the increasing vulnerability of musicians to cyber‑theft and the legal routes available to mitigate such damage. In an era where digital content spreads instantly, the lawsuit could set a precedent for how artists protect their intellectual property in the face of sophisticated hacking groups and dark‑web markets.

Ariana Grande
Ariana Grande during her Eternal Sunshine world tour.