Despite repeated attempts to keep Game of Thrones under
tight lock and key, HBO is continuing to experience leaks when it comes to the
blockbuster fantasy series, with the sixth episode of the
currently-broadcasting season seven having just leaked online days ahead of its
television debut.
Death Is the Enemy, which is due to screen on HBO this
Sunday, appeared on file-sharing sites overnight and is now being widely
downloaded and streamed by impatient fans. It is the second episode of the
season to be leaked online ahead of its airdate.
Like the leaking of episode four two weeks ago, this leak
wasn't the result of a particularly talented hacker, however. Rather it has
been reported that Death Is the Enemy was mistakenly broadcast by HBO Spain,
and subsequently made its way online. Episode four was believed to have been
leaked after a fan discovered an MP4 file on the distribution site of the
show's Indian broadcaster Star India.
HBO is currently embroiled in a variety of hack-related
drama, after 1.5 terabytes of data was stolen by hackers during a security
breach. In that instance, it's been reported that Game of Thrones scripts were
part of the stolen data, of which plot outlines have since been shared online. Personal
contact details of several Game of Thrones actors were also stolen as part of
the hack, alongside full episodes of various B-list HBO series including
Ballers and Room 104.
"The problem before us is unfortunately all too
familiar in the world we now find ourselves a part of," HBO CEO Richard
Plepler said in an internal memo obtained by Entertainment Weekly at the time.
"As has been the case with any challenge we have ever faced, I have
absolutely no doubt that we will navigate our way through this
successfully."
Rabid Game of Thrones fans have previously gotten their
hands on leaked screeners of the show's fifth season in advance, while a HBO
subsidiary last year accidentally released a season six episode a day earlier
than intended.
