Official Sony account says Britney Spears is dead in potential cyber hack

2016 has surely claimed enough deaths by now.

We've just learned of the untimely end of George Michael, while other beloved celebrities have passed this year including David Bowie, Prince, Terry Wogan, Caroline Aherne among many many others. It seems like the most inopportune time for hackers to announce that Britney Spears has died, but alas, not even Christmas waits for soulless, apathetic hackers. The Sony Global music account appears to have been hacked, tweeting two tweets reporting that the 35-year-old singer has died 'by accident'. While it doesn't seem too many people have picked up on it, it seems 75-year-old singer Bob Dylan has either A) fallen for it or B) been hacked also. Thankfully, CNN's AnneClaire Stapleton got in touch with Britney's rep who confirmed the pop princess is still alive and well.

Britney Spears is alive and well, her rep tells CNN. It appears @SonyMusicGlobal erroneously tweeted her death. Sony rep says no comment

— AnneClaire Stapleton (@AnneClaireCNN) December 26, 2016