Microsoft has found itself on the wrong side of a legal filing, and it has nothing to do with Windows or Xbox Game Pass. Take-Two Interactive, the parent company of Rockstar Games, has served Microsoft a DMCA subpoena in its crackdown on leaks of Grand Theft Auto 6, naming the Redmond software giant alongside Discord and Google as targets.
According to the report first surfaced by Kotaku, the subpoena was filed in New York City and seeks records that could help identify the hackers behind the ongoing GTA 6 leak operation. In short, this is the GTA 6 subpoena that’s drawing attention across the gaming and tech worlds.
What the GTA 6 subpoena demands
At its core, the filing is a DMCA subpoena aimed at unmasking an “alleged infringer.” Take-Two’s counsel submitted a sworn declaration stating the purpose is to obtain the identity of whoever leaked its copyrighted material, and that the information will be used only to protect the company’s rights.
The scope is broad. Take-Two describes the protected content as “audio visual content, artwork, images, dialogue, or other creative elements” — essentially everything that makes up a GTA 6 build.
Most pointedly, the subpoena calls on Microsoft to hand over “all internal Microsoft business records and investigative records associated with Microsoft’s internal investigation of the ‘cyberleek’ persona sufficient to identify the user(s), person(s) and/or entity/ies associated with that persona.”
Why Microsoft is in the crosshairs
It’s not immediately clear what Microsoft’s direct involvement is. The subpoena implies the company is already running its own internal investigation into the leaks, which suggests something ties the leakers to Microsoft’s ecosystem.
There have been rumors that some GTA 6 builds originated from an Xbox development kit, though it remains unconfirmed whether that’s actually what happened here. Microsoft hasn’t publicly commented on the subpoena.
There’s another angle worth considering. Microsoft operates one of the world’s largest cloud platforms, and it frequently serves as a first line of cyber defense for companies and even nation-states. If the group known as Cyberleeks accessed Xbox or Microsoft services during their leak operation — for example, if a leaked build pings back to Xbox servers to upload telemetry or reach online services — that infrastructure could make Microsoft a natural target for a subpoena.
Take-Two has also requested information from Discord and Google, and it wouldn’t be surprising if crypto exchanges eventually get pulled in as well, given that the leakers are reportedly accepting donations in cryptocurrency.
The GTA 6 leak saga
This isn’t the first time GTA has courted controversy, but 2025 has been an unusually turbulent year for Rockstar and its parent company. Fans have been waiting well over a decade for a sequel to Grand Theft Auto V, and the anticipation has made GTA 6 a potential record-breaking entertainment launch.
Take-Two has drawn criticism along the way. Beyond the game’s price tag, the company pulled standard features into a $100 special edition and paywalled the first real gameplay footage behind a Netflix subscription, set to premiere on August 27, 2026.
Then the hackers arrived. A self-styled group calling itself Cyberleeks began distributing GTA 6 footage on X and other platforms, drip-feeding content from the build while collecting crypto donations. The leaks have had a measurable market impact: Take-Two’s share price fell about 2% over the past week, though it remains up roughly 6% for the year.
What this means for you
For most players, the practical takeaway is simple. GTA 6 is scheduled to launch on November 19, 2026, and it will be available exclusively on Xbox Series X|S and PS5. If the leaks are coming from an Xbox dev kit, that’s another reason the game is locked to Microsoft’s current console.
For Xbox and Microsoft users specifically, the story raises a broader question about how much your account data and cloud activity can be pulled into legal disputes you know nothing about. Even if you have nothing to do with the leaks, a subpoena that asks Microsoft for its “internal investigation” records shows how far companies will go to trace anonymous online actors.
What to do
Unless you’re involved in the leak operation, there’s nothing to action here. If you’re a fan, the best move is simply to wait for the official launch and enjoy the game through legitimate channels.
For those tracking the story, keep an eye on Microsoft and Take-Two for any official statements, and follow reliable outlets like Kotaku and the Windows Insider community for updates as the legal proceedings unfold.
Source: Latest from Windows Central
Over to you: With GTA 6 locked to Xbox Series X|S and PS5, does this GTA 6 subpoena make you more or less excited for the November 2026 launch?
