this post was submitted on 21 Dec 2023
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The 18-year-old Lapsus$ hacker who played a critical role in leaking Grand Theft Auto VI footage has been sentenced to life inside a hospital prison, according to a report from the BBC. A British judge ruled on Thursday that Arion Kurtaj is a high risk to the public because he still wants to commit cybercrimes.

In August, a London jury found that Kurtaj carried out cyberattacks against GTA VI developer Rockstar Games and other companies, including Uber and Nvidia. However, since Kurtaj has autism and was deemed unfit to stand trial, the jury was asked to determine whether he committed the acts in question, not whether he did so with criminal intent.

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[–] GlitzyArmrest@lemmy.world 202 points 10 months ago (15 children)

Life for this seems absolutely insane.

[–] djsoren19@yiffit.net 58 points 10 months ago (11 children)

I don't think the kid will actually serve it out in prison though. The primary issue here seems to be that the kid is actively saying they will commit more crimes. No matter the crime, you can't really give a light sentence to someone telling you, in a court of law, that they will do it again.

The ideal would be that they rehabilitate him until he's able to be safely released with no fear of repeat offense, or at the very least, until the kid is smart enough to lie.

[–] GlitzyArmrest@lemmy.world 31 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago) (13 children)

It's not prison, it's some sort of prison hospital. But still, life is the exact opposite end of the spectrum compared to a light sentence. Like you said, rehabilitation should be the goal, and imposing life sentences on 18 year olds is not how you make that happen.

He only got a life sentence because he made corporations look bad IMO. Not because of him saying he'd do it again.

[–] admiralteal@kbin.social 36 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago) (5 children)

I mean, he didn't even get a life sentence. That's in the headline, I know, but it's just not true.

He's in the hospital indefinitely, not sentenced to life. There's a big fat or clause that completely undermines the "life sentence".

He’s required to stay in the hospital prison for life unless doctors determine that he’s no longer a danger.

I'm not really sure what anyone thinks WOULD be just and proper in this kind of situation. I don't know many details of this particular case, but if there has been due process that determines someone is unsafe to release into society because they lack social capacity, releasing them anyway hardly seems like justice.

I'd like to believe -- though I know it basically isn't true -- that the justice system exists for the sake of justice. That it is primarily concerned with making whole the victims and making sure the criminals are rehabilitated such that they can safely rejoin society and even contribute to it in the future. I think that's how the justice system should work in a fair and just world. But if you have someone who is actually incapable of rejoining society, what are you supposed to do?

If we want to focus on the awfulness of this situation, I don't think the sentence is the issue. I think the focus would need to be on whether or not the hospital treatment has any chance of being effective -- because if it doesn't, THAT'S the story that matters.

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[–] ExcursionInversion@lemmy.world 20 points 10 months ago (10 children)

During Thursday’s hearing, the court heard Kurtaj “had been violent while in custody with dozens of reports of injury or property damage,” the BBC reports. A mental health assessment also found that Kurtaj “continued to express the intent to return to cybercrime as soon as possible.” He’s required to stay in the hospital prison for life unless doctors determine that he’s no longer a danger.

Sounds like dude has some stuff to work out mentally

[–] Caradoc879@lemmy.world 32 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago) (29 children)

He has autism. It affects the brain in very specific ways for each individual, but in general Executive function is the first thing to go when in stressful situations. You know, emotional regulation and self control? And I also guarantee that the cops and guards were treating him like shit. They LOVE picking on disabled people. I have no doubt most of the charges and incidents were exacerbated by the people in charge.

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[–] GlitzyArmrest@lemmy.world 10 points 10 months ago (21 children)

Well, sure, but does that mean he should get a life sentence?

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[–] cheese_greater@lemmy.world 16 points 10 months ago (1 children)

If he's unfit for trial doesn't he wait until he can? That is beyond unjust on every which side unless he is that level of fucked up. What is life like in an NCR-type deal hospital for life?

Is it like a decent group home or where is he being sent to exactly?

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[–] Tedesche@lemmy.world 14 points 10 months ago (2 children)

You might try reading the article you posted then, because it says very plainly:

He’s required to stay in the hospital prison for life unless doctors determine that he’s no longer a danger.

[–] Maggoty@lemmy.world 12 points 10 months ago (5 children)

A danger of commiting cyber crimes. You forgot that part. This could be solved with a probation officer and a restriction on technology use. Instead, he's in a mental hospital. This is ridiculous and a way to weaponize his disability as a warning to others.

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[–] deweydecibel@lemmy.world 121 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago) (5 children)

The use of "sentenced to life" here is one of the most blatant click/ragebait headlines I've seen in a while. And looking at the comments, people are eating it up.

He has not been sentenced to life. He's in a hospital until deemed fit to release, because he's destroying property, injuring people, and declaring a desire to return to crime.

Yeah, it's funny when it's Rockstar, less so when it's your social media or bank. If he can't bring himself to at least commit to saying he won't do something illegal just to get through court, then his lack of self control speaks to someone who's going to do some shit and wind up arrested again.

If the staff can get him to calm down enough to stand trial, he's out.

Also, remember he was already put on bail once:

A mental health assessment used as part of the sentencing hearing said he "continued to express the intent to return to cyber-crime as soon as possible. He is highly motivated."

The jury was told that while he was on bail for hacking Nvidia and BT/EE and in police protection at a Travelodge hotel, he continued hacking and carried out his most infamous hack.

Despite having his laptop confiscated, Kurtaj managed to breach Rockstar, the company behind GTA, using an Amazon Firestick, his hotel TV and a mobile phone.

[–] PM_Your_Nudes_Please@lemmy.world 71 points 10 months ago (6 children)

The dude hacked Rockstar while in police custody for hacking other companies. They were transporting him and stopped for the night. They locked him inside a hotel room after clearing out anything that he could potentially use to hack. But they missed an Amazon Firestick in the back of the TV. Using that and his room phone, he hacked Rockstar, then when he was caught he told police he’ll do it again as soon as he’s released.

Yeah, the dude is compulsive. It’s an obsession for him.

[–] Kalothar@lemmy.ca 26 points 10 months ago (1 children)

But think of the talent…the potential

[–] Chetzemoka@startrek.website 20 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Yeah isn't this the part of the movie where he gets recruited from jail by James Bond or something? That's literally a plot point in at least one Mission Impossible movie, isn't it? Lol

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[–] Grimy@lemmy.world 21 points 10 months ago

They won't be able to stop him. He literally needs that cube they put magneto in.

[–] Pika@sh.itjust.works 15 points 10 months ago

This sounds like something out of a movie plot holy cow

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[–] masquenox@lemmy.world 19 points 10 months ago (8 children)

because he’s destroying property,

Hold on while I dig out the world's smallest violin for the property of billionaire parasites.

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[–] Sphks@lemmy.dbzer0.com 90 points 10 months ago (2 children)

Although he stayed at a hotel under police protection during this time, Kurtaj still managed to carry out an attack on Rockstar Games by using the room’s included Amazon Fire Stick and a “newly purchased smart phone, keyboard and mouse

Lol. If this was in the plot of a movie, I would say that this is implausible.

[–] gwildors_gill_slits@lemmy.ca 52 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Jesus. Don't lock this guy up, give him a computer and point him at Russia.

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[–] hemko@lemmy.dbzer0.com 20 points 10 months ago (1 children)

To be fair, that mobile phone is basically just a computer. I could my dayjob from a mobile phone too if I plugged it into dock with mouse, keyboard and a screen. Just a bit inconvenient

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[–] Guntrigger@feddit.ch 82 points 10 months ago (1 children)

The part I don't get that no-one has mentioned is that Rockstar stated in court that it cost them $5million to recover from the attack. What does that even mean? They spent $5mil on lawyers to recover the video footage? They spent that on upgrading security (which arguably should have been in place already if they could be hacked with a fire stick and a landline). Or have they been selling $5mil less of Shark Cards than they were expecting?

[–] FlavoredButtHair@lemmy.world 29 points 10 months ago (4 children)

I think some of these evil corporations just throw up a number and expect people to believe they spent that kind of money.

I don't even buy games at release anymore. I wait for a sale or GOTY edition. I wish people would stop pre-ordering and wait for YouTube reviews and Twitch streams.

I didn't pre-order GTA V and watched it on Twitch. After about 2 weeks, went and bought it on PS3 with money I won from a football pool.

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[–] Coasting0942@reddthat.com 61 points 10 months ago (2 children)

First off: it’s a hospital until he’s fit to stand trial. Same for the crazy serial killers who can’t comprehend that what they do is wrong.

Second: the dude is autistic and violent without his connection to the internet. He need professional help.

Third: respect where it is due, he was already banned from having a computer, hacked rockstar with a phone and a fire tv stick

[–] SupraMario@lemmy.world 16 points 10 months ago

The NSA is about to buy him his freedom...

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[–] TransplantedSconie@lemm.ee 48 points 10 months ago (5 children)

Jesus, man. He hacked Rockstar with a fire stick and a phone, lol. Put this kid to work hacking enemy governments. Why waste that talent?

[–] Xanis@lemmy.world 22 points 10 months ago (2 children)

According to the article he was also found to be extremely violent while in custody, with several reports and issues. A lot of that is likely related to his Autism and should be noted. I also absolutely expect the reports are at least partially exaggerated in their wording.

That said: I do agree. Get the kid some therapy and coping skills and give him a nicely colored hat to choose from.

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[–] AlexisFR@jlai.lu 10 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago) (1 children)

If they are going to go that way, no one will ever know.

[–] meco03211@lemmy.world 10 points 10 months ago

How could this 18 year old have hacked your government website while locked up in a hospital? Are you admitting your cyber security is that bad?

conversation ends

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[–] Chocrates@lemmy.world 31 points 10 months ago (3 children)

Wtf, life in prison because you made a corporation look bad?

[–] blusterydayve26@midwest.social 14 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago)

Life in hospital because he publicly vowed to keep doing it while his trial was going on. That’s not a smart thing, that’s definitely not a sane thing. You apologize and move on to get out, you double down if you really like the food, white walls, and basic healthcare, or, you know, if you can’t stop yourself from saying so.

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[–] DreamAccountant@lemmy.world 26 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago) (7 children)

Life? That's bonkers. For leaking GTA crap? Egad.

Guess a billion dollar company bought the legal system...

Rockstar: 'Lock him up and throw away the key. Also, play our game and go shoot some civilians, cops, and feds in a hacker terrorist bank heist online with friends!'

[–] deweydecibel@lemmy.world 14 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago)

The use of "for life" here is extremely misleading and rage baiting. People around here shit on the media all the time, but fall for this clickbait hook line and sinker.

He's not been imprisoned "for life". He's been put in a hospital until deemed fit for release or to stand trial. Because he's literally destroying shit and hurting people/himself.

During Thursday’s hearing, the court heard Kurtaj “had been violent while in custody with dozens of reports of injury or property damage,” the BBC reports. A mental health assessment also found that Kurtaj “continued to express the intent to return to cybercrime as soon as possible.”

And yeah, we all like cybercrime around here when the kid does it to Rockstar, but he can just as easily do more damaging things to regular people, and that's a serious concern. If he can't control himself long enough to get through a trial, then there's no reason to assume he won't do more shit.

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[–] SuddenDownpour@sh.itjust.works 24 points 10 months ago (3 children)

Although he stayed at a hotel under police protection during this time, Kurtaj still managed to carry out an attack on Rockstar Games by using the room’s included Amazon Fire Stick and a “newly purchased smart phone, keyboard and mouse,” according to a separate BBC report. Kurtaj was arrested for the final time following the incident.

I say let him out, unconditionally. When you reach this mix of genius and shamelessness, you breach into the territory of art. Rockstar having to pay $5.000.000 in "damages" is a sacrifice I'm willing to have them make.

[–] NotMyOldRedditName@lemmy.world 19 points 10 months ago (1 children)

When you have a kid like this you fucking recruit them to work for the government and let him hack their enemies to his hearts content.

[–] go_go_gadget@lemmy.world 22 points 10 months ago (2 children)

And you tell the public they're in prison for life.

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[–] Gemini24601@lemmy.world 23 points 10 months ago (14 children)

Imagine what the MI6 or CIA could make out of him. He hacked Rockstar using a firestick, imagine what he could do when given the right tools. This is a terrible waste of skill.

[–] beckerist@lemmy.world 13 points 10 months ago

I had something similar happen to me. In high school I was a tinkerer and installed quake 2 on all the pcs which ended up infecting the entire school network with some viruses. I did a bunch more... slightly more nefarious stuff too... It was all out of curiosity, not malice.

I got caught eventually but instead of my school punishing me they put me to work and I've been in development / IT / Netsec now for 30 years.

[–] Fiivemacs@lemmy.ca 13 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago)

Yeah but it makes mega corporations look like the complete idiots that they actually are...the rich can't have their stupidity on clear display like that so they need to punish whoever.

This isn't about their shitty game anymore, they want to attempt to stop other smart individuals from again showing the world that this giant companies shouldn't exist and how utterly pathetic they are when it comes to security

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[–] foggy@lemmy.world 18 points 10 months ago (3 children)

What the FUCK?!

this is fucking alarming.

"This kid is super smart and managed to get somewhere he wasn't supposed to be. The people protecting that place have billions of dollars, so this kid must suffer. What he didn't was kind of illegal but no one got hurt except the billionaires who want him to suffer. Well, they didn't measurably get hurt, they just are upset about it. What do you say? Life in the Looney bin?"

[–] FaceDeer@kbin.social 13 points 10 months ago (5 children)

That's a very distorted description of what's actually happening. The person (he's 18 so no longer really a "kid") had been violent while in custody with dozens of reports of injury or property damage, and continued to express the intent to return to cybercrime as soon as possible. Furthermore, the "life" sentence is only until the doctors think he's no longer a danger. It sounds like this guy is a real piece of work and the sentence is rooted in the goals of rehabilitation and protecting the public rather than some kind of retribution.

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[–] chemical_cutthroat@lemmy.world 16 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Here's a better source with more information. He is a career criminal already who has hacked a lot more than just Rockstar. I'm not saying that a fucking life sentence is justified, but the Verge isn't doing its due diligence in reporting all the facts on why they gave him such a drastic sentence. The fact that he has already done a lot of damage and says that he will do so again isn't great for him.

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[–] AllonzeeLV@lemmy.world 14 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago) (8 children)

Life in prison to protect corporate/government profits and secrets.

Humanity makes being a misanthrope mighty appealing.

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