In a significant data security incident, U.S. telecom giant AT&T announced on Saturday that a leaked dataset has potentially impacted around 73 million current and former account holders. The breach, which surfaced on the dark web approximately two weeks ago, involves data dating back to 2019 or earlier.
According to AT&T's preliminary analysis, the compromised information includes email and mailing addresses, phone numbers, birth dates, passcodes, and Social Security numbers. Fortunately, the data does not appear to contain financial details or call histories, reducing the risk of financial fraud for those affected.
The company has yet to determine whether the data breach originated from AT&T itself or one of its vendors. Despite the extensive scope of the breach, AT&T reported that there is no evidence of unauthorized access to its systems and that the incident has not materially impacted its operations.
In response to the breach, AT&T is proactively reaching out to all impacted individuals. Passcodes for 7.6 million current customers have been reset, and the company is offering credit monitoring services where applicable to help safeguard against potential misuse of the compromised information.
This incident marks another challenge for AT&T in 2023. Earlier in the year, the Dallas-based company experienced a service outage in February that temporarily disrupted cellphone service for thousands of U.S. users, an issue attributed to a technical coding error rather than a malicious attack.
As AT&T continues to investigate the source of the leaked dataset, the company emphasizes its commitment to protecting customer information and maintaining the reliability of its services. With its 5G network covering approximately 290 million people across the United States, ensuring data security remains a top priority for the telecom leader.
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AT&T: Leaked dataset impacts 73 mln current, former account holders
cgtn.com
