MENACING

Hacker Threatens to Release Stolen Netflix Series

“The Dark Overlord” says he has stolen episodes of "Orange Is the New Black."

A hacker is demanding ransom from Netflix to stop him from releasing stolen copies of the hit series Orange Is the New Black. Calling himself "The Dark Overlord," the hacker has already uploaded a file to an illegal fire-sharing service that he claims is the first episode of the next season. The threats come just over a month before the show’s season premiere is set to be released. The video streaming service has described the incident as an “active situation,” saying the FBI is already investigating a breach at a production vendor that works with numerous major television studios. In his ransom note, the hacker says he stole copies of other television series as well, promising to release them if his “modest” demands are not met. The amount of his ransom demands was not specified, nor were the titles of the other shows he claims to have pirated.