The internet is dark and full of spoilers, because the latest episode of “Game of Thrones” has leaked online
Just days before it’s set to air on Sunday on HBO, a copy of the Game of Thrones episode “The Spoils of War” is circulating online. The leaked episode was originally available in a Google drive file posted to a Reddit discussion board. While Google was quick to remove the episode, a low-quality copy is reportedly making the rounds on various other TV pirating sites.
This leak comes just days after HBO experienced a massive security breach, where 1.5 terabytes of documents and files from various HBO original programs were stolen. However, it appears the “The Spoils of War” episode leak is not connected to the security breach, but rather from distribution partner Star India, the company confirmed.
“This confirms the compromise of Episode 4 of Game of Thrones Season 7, earlier this afternoon, " the company said in a statement. "We take this breach very seriously and have immediately initiated forensic investigations at our and the technology partner’s end to swiftly determine the cause. This is a grave issue and we are taking appropriate legal remedial action."
The leaked episode features India Star’s logo alongside a watermarked text “for internal viewing only.”
Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time Game of Thrones has been subjected to leaks. In 2015, the first four episodes of season five circulated around pirating websites after a DVD press screener was leaked. Since that leak, the premium cable network has not released any advance press screeners. Last year, the season six premiere was leaked after it accidentally went live on HBO Nordic.
“The Spoils of War” is the fourth episode of a shortened 7-episode seventh season. For those of us waiting to see Dany and her dragons fly in high definition, the episode will air on HBO on Sunday.
