AT&T Reports That Nearly All Customers Were Affected by New Data Breach Involving Stolen Phone Records
In a shocking revelation, AT&T has confirmed that it will be notifying millions of its customers about a fresh data breach. The breach allowed cybercriminals to steal the phone records of nearly all of its customers, according to a company spokesperson who spoke with TechCrunch.
The Scope of the Breach
AT&T stated that the stolen data contains phone numbers of both cellular and landline customers, as well as AT&T’s records of calls and text messages. The records include information such as:
- Who contacted whom by phone or text
- Total count of a customer’s calls and texts
- Call durations
However, AT&T assured that the stolen data does not contain the content of calls or texts. Instead, it includes metadata, which is information about the call or text itself.
What Data Was Stolen?
The stolen data also includes cell site identification numbers associated with phone calls and text messages. This information can be used to determine the approximate location of where a call was made or text message sent. AT&T’s spokesperson clarified that some of the stolen records date back to January 2, 2023, for a smaller but unspecified number of customers.
How Many Customers Were Affected?
AT&T will be notifying around 110 million of its customers about the data breach. The company has set up a website with information and resources for affected customers.
The Investigation
AT&T learned of the data breach on April 19, 2023. The company’s spokesperson stated that the breach was unrelated to its earlier security incident in March. AT&T has linked the breach to Snowflake, a cloud data giant that allows corporate customers like tech companies and telcos to analyze huge amounts of customer data.
Snowflake Data Breach
Snowflake allowed its corporate customers to store and analyze their customer data in the cloud. However, in recent weeks, multiple companies have reported having their customer data stolen from Snowflake. These include Ticketmaster and LendingTree subsidiary QuoteWizard.
What’s Being Done?
AT&T is working with law enforcement to arrest the cybercriminals involved in the breach. The company has stated that it believes the stolen data is not currently publicly available. AT&T’s spokesperson confirmed that at least one person has been apprehended, but declined to comment further.
The FBI Involvement
The FBI has been notified about the breach and is working closely with AT&T to investigate the incident. An FBI spokesperson confirmed that they are investigating the matter and are working to identify the individuals responsible for the breach.
What Does This Mean for You?
The AT&T data breach highlights the importance of protecting sensitive information. As consumers, we must be vigilant about safeguarding our personal data online. Companies like AT&T have a responsibility to ensure that their customers’ data is secure.
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