The official YouTube channel of the Supreme Court of India was hacked on Friday, with hackers posting videos promoting XRP, a cryptocurrency developed by Ripple Labs. The channel, typically used to livestream hearings of important public cases, was compromised and has since been taken down. The Supreme Court assured that the channel would be restored soon, with normal services resuming shortly.
The hacking targeted the Supreme Court’s YouTube channel, with videos featuring Ripple Labs CEO Brad Garlinghouse and promoting XRP cryptocurrency. Ripple Labs has been entangled in legal battles with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), making the content particularly suspicious. Hackers also made earlier videos from Supreme Court hearings private.
The breach was discovered on Friday when a suspicious video titled “Brad Garlinghouse: Ripple Responds to the SEC’s $2 Billion Fine! XRP PRICE PREDICTION” appeared on the channel. The channel was promptly taken offline after the unauthorized content was discovered.
The hack occurred on the Supreme Court of India’s official YouTube channel, a platform used to broadcast live hearings of significant legal cases in the country. The channel has been key to providing public access to sensitive cases, including the Krishna Janmabhoomi-Shahi Idgah dispute and the RG Kar hospital rape and murder case.
While the exact motives behind the hack are unclear, it appears that the hackers intended to exploit the Supreme Court’s public platform to promote XRP cryptocurrency. Cryptocurrency scams often rely on high-visibility platforms to push their agenda, and this seems to be an example of such activity.
After hackers gained control of the YouTube channel, they posted the unauthorized XRP video and hid the Supreme Court’s previous content. In response, the channel was taken down for security reasons, and the Supreme Court issued a statement assuring the public that the channel will be restored. Investigations are expected to uncover how the breach occurred and to prevent future incidents, with authorities likely pursuing those responsible.
