Fury, Annie, and other Sony movies leak online after massive cyberattack

(Image credit: CC by: Sebi Ryffel)

last updated 8 January 2015

There's a lot of speculation about who is behind an ongoing Nov. 24 cyberattack that has taken Sony Pictures Entertainment's computer network offline. With no usable computers or company email, Sony has set up Gmail accounts for employees; those unable to use any devices "have resorted to pens, paper, and fax machines to do their jobs," the Los Angeles Times reports.

Adding (costly) insult to injury, several new and unreleased Sony films have started appearing on file-sharing sites, including the Brad Pitt war drama Fury, the remake of Annie, Still Alice, and Mr. Turner. "The theft of Sony Pictures Entertainment content is a criminal matter, and we are working closely with law enforcement to address it," Sony said in a statement.

It's not clear that the hackers stole the Sony movies along with passwords and other information about employees. But the fact that leaked films do not include the comedy The Interview lends some possible credence to suspicions that North Korea is involved in the GOP (Guardians of Peace) group claiming credit for the attack. Kim Jong Un is said to be livid about the upcoming Seth Rogin-James Franco comedy, about a plot to assassinate him, and would like the movie to disappear.

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.

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