India's Supreme Court YouTube Channel Hacked to Promote Cryptocurrency Scam, CEO Brad Garlinghouse Reacts

India's Supreme Court YouTube channel was hacked on Friday, causing a disruption in its usual livestream of court hearings. Instead of showing the constitutional bench proceedings, the channel showed videos promoting XRP, a cryptocurrency developed by Ripple Labs.

India’s apex court got a taste of the cryptocurrency scam on Friday when its Supreme Court YouTube channel was hacked. Instead of showing the constitutional bench proceedings, the channel showed videos promoting XRP, a cryptocurrency created by Ripple Labs.

One particular video was titled “Brad Garlinghouse Ripple Responds to SEC’s $2 Billion Fine,” but it only showed a blank screen. This comes as the FBI recently reported that Americans lost approximately $5.6 billion to cryptocurrency scams in 2023.

Also Read: Cryptocurrency Scams Cost Americans a Record $5.6 Billion in 2023: FBI

Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse immediately took to his X handle and reacted to the news. The CEO expressed disappointment and wrote, “Unfort this feels like my annual PSA (and yes, I sound like a broken record): @Ripple and execs will NEVER ask you to send us XRP. It’s pathetic to see scammers prey on & exploit innocent crypto users, and the ease at which social media platforms allow it to happen. Stop, spot, avoid – protect yourself.”

Unfort this feels like my annual PSA (and yes, I sound like a broken record): @Ripple and execs will NEVER ask you to send us XRP. It’s pathetic to see scammers prey on & exploit innocent crypto users, and the ease at which social media platforms allow it to happen. Stop, spot,… https://t.co/XGDFcxY80T

Ripple has been taking legal steps to address the increasing number of scams. In April 2020, Ripple filed a lawsuit against YouTube, alleging that the platform failed to stop fraudulent cryptocurrency promotions. The case was settled in 2021, but Garlinghouse has continued to push for stronger safeguards on social media platforms.

This incident marks the first time that the court’s YouTube channel, which has been active since 2018 for broadcasting key hearings, has been compromised. The channel has played a crucial role in live-streaming important cases.

Following the breach, the Supreme Court administration has launched a formal investigation. As a precaution, the YouTube channel was disabled to prevent further unauthorized access and the potential spread of misinformation.