TOKYO (TR) – Tokyo Metropolitan Police have arrested a 15-year-old highschool scholar accused of utilizing the generative AI software ChatGPT to launch a cyberattack towards the favored anime streaming service Bandai Channel, forcing tens of 1000’s of customers to be unsubscribed, experiences TBS News (July 6).
The boy, a resident of Tokorozawa City in Saitama Prefecture, was arrested on suspicion of fraudulent obstruction of enterprise, investigative sources revealed.
According to police, the cyberattack occurred in November 2025 whereas the suspect was nonetheless in his third yr of junior highschool. The teen allegedly deployed a custom-made program he constructed utilizing ChatGPT to illegally entry the servers of Bandai Channel.
The malicious script hijacked person accounts and systematically triggered withdrawal processes, forcing 46,812 members to be unsubscribed. The ensuing chaos compelled the platform’s operator, Bandai Namco Filmworks, to quickly droop all providers, thereby obstructing their enterprise.
The boy, who reportedly started instructing himself pc programming within the fourth grade, has admitted to the allegations.
“I had no grudge against the victimized company,” he instructed investigators.
During the breach, the teenager additionally obtained private member info, together with electronic mail addresses and person nicknames. However, police haven’t confirmed any situations of the stolen knowledge being misused or distributed on-line.
Following the assault in November, Bandai Namco Filmworks halted all operations after noticing customers had been being unintentionally unsubscribed and fearing a possible knowledge leak. Operations ultimately resumed in December.
“We have implemented measures to improve system safety and prevent recurrence. At this time, we have not confirmed any secondary damage or facts indicating that members’ personal information has been published on the internet,” the corporate stated.
In a press release addressing the arrest, Bandai Namco Filmworks added, “We will strive to further strengthen our safety management systems, including information security, to ensure our members can use our services with peace of mind.”