In a groundbreaking verdict, 18-year-old autistic hacker Arion Kurtaj has been sentenced to indefinite hospital confinement for leaking the trailer of Rockstar Games' highly anticipated Grand Theft Auto 6. Alleged to be a member of the international hacking group Lapsus$, Kurtaj's actions resulted in a serious security breach for Rockstar Games, prematurely exposing the game's surprises.
Arion Kurtaj, a member of the infamous Lapsus$ hacker group, faces an indefinite hospital sentence for the unauthorized release of Grand Theft Auto 6's trailer. Rockstar Games officially announced the long-awaited game in early December, set in Miami Vice City with a female character in a leading role.
The leaked 1.5-minute trailer, featuring a character named Lucia in prison attire, depicts her and a partner committing a store robbery. This revelation, before the official announcement, marked a serious security breach for Rockstar Games, with Kurtaj allegedly linked to the international Lapsus$ hacker group.
Reports suggest that Arion Kurtaj, who is on the autism spectrum, played a role in cyber attacks against major technology companies such as Uber and Nvidia, resulting in millions of dollars in damages. The leak of GTA 6's trailer adds to the list of high-profile breaches attributed to Lapsus$.
According to BBC reports, Kurtaj openly expressed his intention to engage in cybercrime during a mental health assessment, indicating a strong motivation in this regard. Taking into account his capabilities and criminal inclination, the British judge concluded that Kurtaj poses a continuous risk to the public.
In light of the assessment, Arion Kurtaj will remain in a secure hospital for the rest of his life, as deemed necessary for public safety. The judge emphasized that unless he is no longer perceived as a danger, the indefinite confinement will persist.