New York, October 15, 2023 – U.S. telecommunications giant AT&T has launched an investigation into a significant data breach after a dataset was released on the dark web two weeks ago. Preliminary analysis indicates that approximately 7.6 million current account holders and 65.4 million former account holders may have been affected.
The compromised data, reportedly from 2019 or earlier, includes sensitive personal information such as email and mailing addresses, phone numbers, birth dates, passcodes, and Social Security numbers. Importantly, financial information and call histories do not appear to be part of the leak.
AT&T stated that it is unclear whether the data originated directly from its systems or from one of its vendors. “We have no evidence of unauthorized access to our systems,” the company affirmed, emphasizing that the breach has not materially impacted its operations. The source of the data remains under assessment.
In response to the incident, AT&T is proactively contacting all impacted individuals and has reset passcodes for 7.6 million current customers to enhance security measures. The company also stated it will offer credit monitoring services where applicable to mitigate potential risks for affected users.
This breach underscores the growing challenges of cybersecurity in the telecommunications industry—a concern that resonates globally, including across Asian markets where data protection regulations are becoming increasingly stringent. Analysts suggest that such incidents highlight the need for robust security protocols to protect user data amidst rising cyber threats.
AT&T’s 5G network, covering about 290 million people across the U.S., is a critical component of the nation’s communications infrastructure. The potential implications of the breach extend beyond the U.S., as global partners and investors closely monitor the situation for any ripple effects on international operations and collaborations.
This incident is not the first challenge AT&T has faced this year. In February, a technical coding error caused a significant outage that temporarily disrupted cellphone service for thousands of U.S. users. The company confirmed that the outage was not due to a malicious attack.
The situation serves as a reminder to businesses and consumers worldwide of the importance of vigilant cybersecurity practices. As digital connectivity becomes ever more integral to daily life, safeguarding personal and corporate information remains a top priority.
(With input from Reuters, AP)
Reference(s):
AT&T: Leaked dataset impacts 73 mln current, former account holders
cgtn.com
