As it turns out, the low-quality leak came from Star India, HBO’s distribution partner, a spokesperson for the group confirmed to The Verge.
Following reports that a clever hacker serendipitously named "little.finger66" stole more data than Sony lost in 2014, the leaked episode wound up on subreddit "r/freefolk" with the note "gift from Pakistan," Mashable reported.
Shockingly enough, Entertainment Weekly also noted that the tricksters went as far as reaching out to a pack of reporters with a self-congratulatory message.
"Hi to all mankind. The greatest leak of cyber space era is happening. What its name? Oh I forget to tell. Its HBO and Game of Thrones……!!!!!! You are lucky to be the first pioneers to witness and download the leak. Enjoy it & spread the words. Whoever spreads well, we will have an interview with him. HBO is falling."
Though it’s unknown what triggered the attack and the taunting, some online commenters speculate that it could be related to the company’s controversial venture "Confederate," a show that will depict an alternate universe where slavery is still legal in the American South. The show will be the work of Thrones-based creators David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, though the script is not yet written nor the cast assembled.
On the fan front, it seems not even the most dedicated fans were able to keep away from the leak.
— suzie samin (@suzannesamin) August 4, 2017
Kermit was even resurrected to show one’s inner turmoil.
— No One (@Thisweirdlyf) August 4, 2017
Resist the urge, stay strong.
