Biggest data theft scandals that shook the world

When data thefts happen, it can have serious consequences for individuals, organizations, and even entire economies. Here’re some of the biggest data thefts that created news.

Equifax Data Breach (2017):

In 2017, Equifax, one of the largest credit reporting agencies in the U.S., disclosed a data breach that compromised the personal information of over 147 million consumers. The breach occurred due to a vulnerability in Equifax’s web application software, which allowed hackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data, including names, Social Security numbers, birth dates, addresses, and more. The breach led to widespread public outcry and raised questions about Equifax’s security practices and its handling of customer data.

Yahoo Data Breach (2013-2014):

In 2016, Yahoo announced that it had suffered two massive data breaches in 2013 and 2014. The breaches compromised the personal data of over 1 billion Yahoo users, including names, email addresses, phone numbers, dates of birth, and security questions and answers. The company blamed the breaches on state-sponsored hackers and faced criticism for its slow response in disclosing the breaches and informing affected users.

Cambridge Analytica Scandal (2018):

The Cambridge Analytica scandal involved the unauthorized harvesting of Facebook user data by the political consulting firm Cambridge Analytica. The firm used the data to create detailed profiles of millions of Facebook users, which were then used to influence political campaigns, including the 2016 U.S. presidential election. The scandal raised questions about Facebook’s data privacy practices and led to increased scrutiny of the social media giant’s role in the political process.

Target Data Breach (2013):

In late 2013, Target announced that it had suffered a massive data breach that compromised the personal and financial information of over 110 million customers. The breach occurred when hackers gained access to Target’s payment system and stole credit and debit card information, as well as other personal information, such as names and addresses. The breach led to significant financial losses for Target, as well as a loss of public trust and reputation.

Marriott International Data Breach (2018):

In 2018, Marriott International disclosed a data breach that had occurred in 2014 and compromised the personal information of over 500 million customers. The breach exposed sensitive information, including names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, passport numbers, and more. Marriott faced criticism for its handling of the breach and its slow response in notifying affected customers.

Sony Pictures Hack (2014):

In 2014, hackers gained unauthorized access to Sony Pictures’ internal network and stole sensitive information, including emails, employee data, and unreleased movies. The hack was attributed to a group of hackers associated with North Korea, who were believed to be retaliating against Sony for its production of a movie that depicted the assassination of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. The hack resulted in significant financial losses for Sony, as well as a loss of public trust and reputation.