Australia’s popular news channel 7News faced a cybersecurity breach on its YouTube channel, leading to the unauthorized streaming of an AI-generated cryptocurrency scam featuring Elon Musk. The incident, which occurred recently, attracted a significant audience, with approximately 60,000 and 45,000 viewers watching the live streams before they were removed and later re-uploaded.
The fraudulent streams showcased an AI-generated portrayal of Elon Musk endorsing a cryptocurrency scam while standing in front of a Tesla vehicle. Two additional streams were also uploaded, seemingly promoting a future Tesla Cybertruck launch event set for 2023.
Seven’s Primary YouTube Channel is Taken Down
Following the hack, Seven deactivated its primary YouTube channel, displaying broken hyperlinks when accessed. The temporary rebranding of the 7News YouTube channel as a Tesla account during the attack also led to its removal.
A spokesperson for Seven acknowledged the breach, confirming ongoing collaboration with YouTube to promptly resolve the issue.
Shady Meme Coin Drops
The incident adds to concerns about cryptocurrency scams, with notable figures like billionaire Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest currently pursuing legal action against fraudulent crypto advertisements misusing their identities. Australian regulatory bodies have intensified efforts to dismantle such scams, having shut down over 2,500 related websites since last year.
In another development, rapper Juaquin James Malphurs, known as Waka Flocka Flame, faced scrutiny over the launch of his memecoin on the Solana blockchain. The launch of FLOCKA was marred by allegations of irregularities in token supply, reflecting a broader trend of celebrity-backed cryptocurrency ventures.
The proliferation of these “celebcoins,” including ventures by personalities like Iggy Azalea and Hulk Hogan, has raised concerns within the cryptocurrency community, prompting calls for enhanced vigilance and regulatory oversight.
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