However, whilst they may have acknowledged the mishap, and indeed admitted fault, the french publisher are yet to apologise. Instead, Ubisoft have removed all email addresses from their Watch Dogsmarketing database as a ‘precaution’.

Ubisoft said in an email sent out to account holders, “Ubisoft takes privacy matters seriously. Recently we discovered some users’ email addresses were gathered without following proper privacy guidelines and procedures. As a precaution, we are removing your email from our marketing database.

“If you’d like to continue to receive updates and news on Watchdogs, update your Uplay account by clicking here.

“If you would like more information on Ubisoft’s stance regarding your privacy, you can check out our privacy policy here. We thank you for your interest in Watch Dogs and look forward to sharing more about the game in the future.”

Ubisoft’s lack of apology may leave some dissatisfied, whilst also dispelling rumours that this stunt was a carefully planned part of the Watch Dogs viral campaign, given the game’s subject matter.

Only users whose email addresses begin with either a number or the first few letters of the alphabet are said to have been affected.

After the rapturous reception Watch Dogs received at Ubisoft’s E3 conference, some wily individual scanned an in-game QR code .

This code then revealed an intruiging website www.dotconnexion.com, detailing the upcoming art exhibition which was featured in the gameplay trailer, of one Joseph Demarco. On the website, one could register interest for the forthcoming art exhibition by sending an email, which GamingBolt did.

Last night, we were saddened to hear of the death of Joseph Demarco following his brush with Aiden Pierce, one of the game’s protagonists. Unfortunately, we were also saddened to see some careless Ubisoft employee had put the participants’ emails on CC, not BCC, so they became visible to everyone who’d also received the email.

Wether this is merely a slip of the fingers, or a cunning ploy to replicate the frail nature of cyber-security, the same as depicted in-game, is yet to be seen.

Ubisoft have been contacted for comment.

Watch Dogs is currently set for a 2013 release on Xbox 360, Playstation 3 and PC.