Government officials all over the world are coming together and saying they will investigate Uber Technologies Inc.’s handling of a massive data breach in 2016.
On Thursday, Uber Technologies (privately traded) announced that it had paid hackers $100,000 in an attempt to hide a data breach that affected 57 million accounts. Not only were names, emails and phone numbers of riders exposed after the breach, but also 600,000 U.S. driver’s license numbers were accessed, Uber said.
According to a Federal Trade Commission spokesman, the agency is “closely evaluating the serious issues raised.” Further, Sen. Richard Blumenthal wrote on Twitter that the SCC should hold a hearing and “demand Uber explain their outrageous breach – and inexplicable delay in informer its consumer and drivers.”
The San Francisco-based company said it would alert owners of the affected accounts over the course of the next few days. Justice seems to be being served as Uber has fired its chief security officer and a deputy for their roles in the breach and in concealing it.
Roughly three European government agencies are currently looking into the method Uber took to handling the breach. Additionally, the New York State Attorney General’s office has launched an investigation.
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