Disney is investigating a potential leak of internal communications by the hacking group Nullbulge, which claims to be “protecting artists’ rights.” Nullbulge asserts it accessed thousands of messages from Disney employees, including information on upcoming projects.
The group targets those it believes misuse AI-generated content, which it calls “theft.” The hackers claim to have infiltrated Disney’s internal Slack system through an insider but did not provide evidence to verify the data’s authenticity.
The leak, first reported in gaming media and later by the Wall Street Journal, allegedly includes advertising campaigns and candidate interviews dating back to 2019. Nullbulge stated they released the data because they didn’t expect Disney to stop using AI.
The group, which identifies as Russian hacktivists, argues they aim to protect the creative industry rather than extort money.
There is increasing concern among creatives that generative AI threatens their livelihoods by using existing material to produce new work. Some artists have accused AI firms of copyright infringement for using their original content to train AI tools.
Nullbulge positions itself as a defender of artists’ rights, striving to ensure fair compensation in the digital age.
Disney’s extensive business operations include film-making, streaming services like Disney+ and Hulu, video games, and global theme parks. It owns prominent franchises such as Marvel and Star Wars.
