In a startling security breach, the Supreme Court of India’s official YouTube channel was hacked, showcasing unauthorized content that promoted XRP, a cryptocurrency developed by Ripple Labs, instead of the court’s legal proceedings. This platform, crucial for the judiciary, is typically used to live stream significant cases, including those before Constitution Benches and other matters of public interest.
The channel had recently streamed the sensitive suo motu case concerning the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital rape and murder incident. However, in a disturbing turn of events, viewers searching for recordings of past hearings found that all previous videos had been set to private by the hackers. Replacing the usual content, a live video titled “Brad Garlinghouse: Ripple Responds To The SEC’s $2 Billion Fine! XRP PRICE PREDICTION” was broadcasted.
This incident underlines a recurring issue across YouTube, where high-profile channels are prime targets for scammers. Adding to the complexity, Ripple Labs had previously sued YouTube for its failure to stop impostors from impersonating its CEO, Brad Garlinghouse. According to The Verge, these scammers have manipulated the system by taking over channels from well-known YouTubers, thereby leveraging hundreds of thousands of subscribers to propagate fraudulent schemes promising lucrative XRP rewards for initial monetary contributions.
The Supreme Court has yet to issue an official statement regarding the hack or the measures being implemented to recover and secure the channel. This breach underscores the ongoing challenges and vulnerabilities inherent in maintaining the security of digital platforms, even for high-stature entities like the Supreme Court of India.
