In a shocking cybersecurity breach, the official PUBG Mobile Esports YouTube channel was hacked and renamed 'SpaceX 2021.' The intruder also uploaded a cryptocurrency promotion video.
Battle royale titles like PUBG Mobile continually combat hackers deploying cheats to rig matches. Developers have banned millions of accounts using advanced anti-cheat tools, but targeting an official channel caught everyone off guard.
This dedicated channel, launched in 2018, streams premier PUBG Mobile tournaments to over 3 million subscribers worldwide.
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The homepage appeared blank, yet the videos tab retained all prior esports content plus the hacker's upload titled 'SpaceX's All-Civilian Mission Inspiration4,' nodding to Elon Musk's SpaceX.
The attack struck during the live PUBG Mobile Pro League Arabia Finals around 11 p.m., slashing viewership from thousands to just 20-30.
Developers acted fast, restoring the channel and original name within hours. This incident highlights persistent vulnerabilities in esports infrastructure, prompting deeper security reviews to protect fair play.
Authorities are probing the breach to safeguard against repeats and uphold integrity in competitive gaming.
