- Title: ISRAEL-MADONNA Madonna: hack was "deeply devastating and hurtful experience"
- Date: 21st January 2015
- Summary: NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES (FILE) (REUTERS) **** WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY **** VARIOUS OF LADY GAGA POSING FOR PICTURES
- Embargoed: 5th February 2015 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Iceland
- Country: Iceland
- Topics: General
- Reuters ID: LVADBLPI7GVXZ2D0UU8M6ZOY9U4D
- Story Text: EDIT CONTAINS CONVERTED 4:3 MATERIAL
Madonna issued a statement on Wednesday (January 21), following the arrest of an Israeli man, suspected of hacking her computer and selling the pop icon's songs online.
"I am profoundly grateful to the FBI, the Israeli Police investigators and anyone else who helped lead to the arrest of this hacker," Madonna said in a statement. "I deeply appreciate my fans who have provided us with pertinent information and continue to do so regarding leaks of my music. Like any citizen, I have the right to privacy. This invasion into my life - creatively, professionally and personally remains a deeply devastating and hurtful experience, as it must be for all artists who are victims of this type of crime."
In December, unfinished tracks were leaked from Madonna's "Rebel Heart" album, which is scheduled for a March 10 release.
A private Israeli investigator said Madonna's team had contacted his company to look into the matter based on rumors of an Israeli connection to the leak. No charges have yet been filed against the suspect.
Earlier on Wednesday, the FBI released a statement about the hack, saying, "The FBI has been working jointly with our counterparts in Israel to investigate the illegal acquisition and distribution of entertainment industry copyrighted material."
Music leaks are becoming more and more common. Singer Bjork's album "Vulnicura" was just released two months ahead of schedule after it was leaked online. Lady Gaga had similar problems with her last album "ARTPOP," which was leaked in full in 2013 before its scheduled release. - Copyright Holder: FILE REUTERS (CAN SELL)
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