Skip to main content
Tags: despacito | hackers | youtube | security

'Despacito' Hackers: YouTube Videos Attacked in Security Breach

'Despacito' Hackers: YouTube Videos Attacked in Security Breach

Puerto Rican Singer Luis Fonsi performs his song 'Despacito' during the traditionnal Clive Davis party on the eve of the 60th Annual Grammy Awards on Jan. 28, 2018, in New York. (Jewel Samad/AFP/Getty Images)

By    |   Tuesday, 10 April 2018 12:09 PM EDT

The wildly popular "Despacito" video was allegedly attacked by hackers and then disappeared off of YouTube, according to The Verge.

The video to the hit song by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee was defaced by the alleged hackers before the video went poof, the website said.

The BBC News wrote that the video, which had more than 5 billion views, was replaced by a cover image that showed a group wearing masks and pointing guns. The network said the hackers called themselves Prosox and Kuroi'sh and wrote "Free Palestine" underneath the videos.

The Verge wrote that music videos featuring songs from Chris Brown, Shakira, DJ Snake, Selena Gomez, Drake, Katy Perry, and Taylor Swift also were attacked by the alleged hackers. All of the affected music videos were uploaded to the artist's Vevo YouTube accounts, the website said.

"Vevo can confirm that a number of videos in its catalogue were subject to a security breach today, which has now been contained," a Vevo representative told The Verge. "We are working to reinstate all videos affected and our catalogue to be restored to full working order. We are continuing to investigate the source of the breach."

The BBC News wrote that a Twitter account belonging to one of the alleged hackers posted a message Tuesday.

Surrey University cyber-security expert Alan Woodward told the BBC News that it probably took more work to gain access.

"To upload and alter video content with code you should require an authorization token," Woodward told the BBC News. "So, either this hacker has found a way around that need for authorization, or they are being economical with the facts, or they obtained the permissions in some other way."

Fox News reported that YouTube and Vevo were still working on addressing the apparent hacking incident on their social media pages Tuesday morning.

© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.


TheWire
Hackers reportedly attacked the "Despacito" video and other popular music videos in a security breach reported Tuesday.
despacito, hackers, youtube, security
334
2018-09-10
Tuesday, 10 April 2018 12:09 PM
Newsmax Media, Inc.

Sign up for Newsmax’s Daily Newsletter

Receive breaking news and original analysis - sent right to your inbox.

(Optional for Local News)
Privacy: We never share your email address.
Join the Newsmax Community
Read and Post Comments
Please review Community Guidelines before posting a comment.
 
TOP

Interest-Based Advertising | Do not sell or share my personal information

Newsmax, Moneynews, Newsmax Health, and Independent. American. are registered trademarks of Newsmax Media, Inc. Newsmax TV, and Newsmax World are trademarks of Newsmax Media, Inc.

NEWSMAX.COM
America's News Page
© Newsmax Media, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
Download the Newsmax App
NEWSMAX.COM
America's News Page
© Newsmax Media, Inc.
All Rights Reserved