Cyber Incident Victim: Big Screen in Cardiff's Queen Street
Date:
Aug 2017
Location:
United Kingdom
Summary
A hacker compromised a large advertising screen in Cardiff's Queen Street shopping area, displaying offensive symbols including swastikas and messages falsely declaring the zone under Sharia law control with prohibitions on alcohol, gambling, and pornography. The perpetrators, claiming affiliation with an online forum, also projected memes and a "Big Brother is watching you" sign before sharing images of the breach on social media. Local authorities deactivated the screen following public reports, while police launched an investigation into potential crimes. The billboard operator was notified of the incident, which occurred during a busy evening with high pedestrian traffic.
| CIA Posture | Motives | Tactics, Techniques & Procedures |
|---|---|---|
| Available to members | 2 motives | 1 technique |
| Threat Actor | Type | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1 actor | Available to members | Available to members |
Description
On August 1, 2017, a large digital billboard operated by blowUP media above the Superdrug store in Cardiff’s Queen Street shopping district was compromised by unauthorized actors. During the evening hours, the screen displayed a swastika symbol, anti-Islamic messages including a false "Warning. This is a Shariah controlled zone. No alcohol. No gambling. No porn" notice, internet memes, and a "Big Brother is watching you" poster. The incident occurred during summer holidays when the area was frequented by families and children. A user affiliated with the /pol/ (Politically Incorrect) board on 4chan claimed responsibility via Twitter, stating "Some Anons from /pol/ were able to hack into a billboard in Cardiff, Wales" and that they "had a little fun." Multiple bystanders observed the unauthorized content and contacted authorities to report concerns.
South Wales Police initiated an investigation following numerous public reports about the disruptive messages. Officers coordinated with Cardiff Council, which promptly contacted blowUP media—the billboard’s owner and operator—to address the breach. The council confirmed the screen was deactivated by midnight on August 1 as a containment measure. Police publicly stated their intent to investigate potential criminal offenses but did not disclose technical details regarding the intrusion method or perpetrator identification. No additional disruptions to city infrastructure or further threat claims were reported in immediate connection with this incident. The temporary shutdown of the advertising screen concluded the visible manifestation of the breach, though the investigation’s status and outcomes remained unspecified in available reports.