Ariana Grande wins expedited legal action against music-leaking hackers

Singer Ariana Grande has successfully expedited legal proceedings in her lawsuit against hackers accused of stealing and leaking her unreleased music and photos. Court documents filed in Los Angeles show that the "Wicked" actress's request for a swift process to gather evidence has been granted.

Grande filed the lawsuit in July against several hackers, alleging they gained unauthorized access to devices to leak unreleased songs, recording session materials, and music videos without her consent over several years. Unable to identify the perpetrators, she filed a "John Doe" lawsuit, claiming the hackers profited significantly by selling her stolen material on the dark web.

Grande's legal team requested an expedited "third-party" subpoena process, arguing they had identified internet platforms and external entities involved in the distribution and illegal transactions. These entities are believed to possess information crucial for identifying the unknown defendants. The court granted the request, stating it was "pointless to wait" given Grande's inability to serve specific defendants.

The singer has been a victim of such digital piracy for years, with up to 45 unreleased songs reportedly leaking online in 2023 alone. Some of the leaked tracks include "Fantasize," "That Bitch Is Mine," and "White Tee." This legal action follows Grande's recent announcement of taking a break after concluding her tour, a decision she described as long-planned and deliberate.