A self-proclaimed “hacktivist group” named Nullbulge has allegedly leaked over a terabyte of data from Disney’s internal messaging channels, which includes login credentials, code, images, and information about unreleased projects. The group claims to have accessed Disney's Slack messaging data through the compromised computer of an employee, asserting that they downloaded and packaged “1.1TiB of files and chat messages” from nearly 10,000 corporate Slack channels.
Disney has confirmed to The Wall Street Journal that it is investigating the matter. Nullbulge hinted at possessing the stolen data on July 12, shortly before leaking the Slack archive. According to reports, the leaked files contain internal discussions about software development, recruitment, website maintenance, and employee programs dating back to at least 2019. Additionally, details concerning upcoming gaming collaborations and unannounced video game sequels have begun to surface.
The group stated its motivations stem from a desire to protect artists' rights and compensation, criticizing Disney for its handling of artist contracts and its approach to artificial intelligence (AI). These concerns about generative AI's impact on creative livelihoods have fueled unionization efforts among Disney animators and contributed to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike. Furthermore, Disney has faced backlash for using generative AI in the credits of its Secret Invasion series and has established a task force to explore AI applications across its entertainment projects.