Judge Rules Ariana Grande Can Subpoena Instagram and TikTok to Identify Anonymous Music Leakers

A judge has ordered that Ariana Grande may subpoena Instagram and TikTok to identify anonymous people accused of stealing and leaking her unreleased music, according to a report by Billboard on Aug. 19, 2026. The ruling gives Grande and her legal team a path to determine who is behind the alleged online posts of material that has not been officially released.

The dispute centers on alleged anonymous hacking activity and subsequent distribution on social platforms, where the leaked tracks were reportedly posted without authorization. Grande’s case seeks to move the litigation beyond “John Doe” style defendants by obtaining identifying information from the platforms, the Billboard report said.

In granting the request, the court recognized the need for information held by the platforms that may not be available to the artist’s side through other means. Instagram and TikTok typically control subscriber and account-related data, such as records that can connect an online handle to a real-world identity, which can be essential for service of process and for pursuing claims such as copyright infringement and related theories, the report indicated.

The subpoena authority is particularly consequential for social media users and content viewers, because it indicates how courts may handle disputes involving leaked creative works and the steps needed to pursue alleged unauthorized distributors. While the judge’s order does not itself determine liability, it can narrow the number of unknown parties and set the stage for further motions once specific defendants are identified.

For the platforms, the decision represents an additional legal obligation to preserve relevant records and respond within the scope permitted by the court. Subpoenas tied to content leak cases often require careful limits, including what time period of activity the request covers and what types of identifying information may be disclosed, in order to balance privacy and due process concerns against the need for evidence.

If and when the platforms comply, Grande’s attorneys would be able to identify the individuals associated with the accounts that allegedly shared the unreleased material, at which point the litigation can proceed against named defendants. Further court proceedings would still be required to resolve any contested factual issues about the alleged theft and the responsible parties, Billboard reported.