leaked

Leaked is the past participle of the verb leak. It describes something that has escaped from a container or system, or information that has been disclosed without authorization.

In physical contexts, leaks refer to water, gas, or other fluids escaping through a hole or faulty seal. Leaks can indicate safety hazards, cause damage to property, and have environmental or financial consequences depending on the substance involved.

In information contexts, leaks describe the unauthorized disclosure of confidential material to the public or to the media. Leaks can result from whistleblowing, hacking, or inadvertent exposure, and they may affect politics, business, journalism, or national security. The term is used for both legitimate disclosures and illicit breaches, and the legal implications vary by jurisdiction and circumstance.

Common examples include leaked documents, emails, plans, or videos that reveal internal deliberations, strategies, or misconduct. The reception of a leak can range from critical scrutiny and public debate to reputational harm and market reactions.

Prevention and response strategies focus on reducing leakage risk through access controls, encryption, monitoring, and security training, as well as remedying vulnerabilities when leaks occur. In infrastructure contexts, leak detection employs sensors and maintenance to identify and repair faults promptly.

See also: leak, leakage, data breach, whistleblower, confidentiality.