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Telefónica scrutinizes claims of unauthorized access to 22 million customer databases

Telecom giant Telefonica probes large-scale data breach at Movistar, potentially impacting 22 million customer records.

Telecom giant Telefonica is currently investigating a suspected data breach on Movistar, allegedly...
Telecom giant Telefonica is currently investigating a suspected data breach on Movistar, allegedly exposing sensitive information of 22 million customers.

Telefónica scrutinizes claims of unauthorized access to 22 million customer databases

Let's dive into the shady business of a suspected data breach at Movistar, affecting almost 22 million customer records, with a portion of these presumably tied to clients in Peru.

The cat's out of the bag, folks! A potential data breach at Movistar is under investigation by its parent company, Telefónica. It seems like some sneaky cyberpunk called Dedale has his fingers in the pie, having allegedly snatched customer data from Movistar.

The information was first shared on social network X, where cybersecurity platform HackManac reported the matter. Dedale, the anonymous cybercriminal, has boasted about orchestrating a massive data dump targeting Movistar. To prove his points, ol' Dedale posted a sample of 1 million records on the dark web, a hidden part of the internet that traditional browsers can't reach.

But here's the kicker: Dedale is demanding a paltry 1,500 bucks (roughly 1,314 euros) as a reward – a sum significantly lower than what's usually asked in such situations.

Impact still uncertain

Now, it's important to remember that those 22 million records don't necessarily mean 22 million customers. A single user might have multiple records, like their full name, ID, address, service plans, mobile numbers, and more. Therefore, until Telefónica clarifies the actual impact, we can't confirm that 22 million Movistar customers have been affected.

What we do know is that the million records found so far are of users from Peru. So far, we haven't got confirmation if there's data from users in other countries where Movistar operates, such as Spain.

"Some people crave attention by publishing databases or claiming they have valuable data when it's actually just hot air," says Manuel Huerta, CEO of Lazarus Technology, speaking to TVE. The expert points out that the "intriguing" aspect of this Movistar case is the low reward being requested. "Data has been the new oil for quite some time now," adds the expert.

In this game of cat and mouse, it's worth noting that Telefónica sold its Peruvian subsidiary to Integra Tec International back in April for around 900,000 euros, after racking up a debt of 1.24 billion euros by the end of 2024.

The ongoing investigation by Telefónica into the potential data breach at Movistar, suspected to involve nearly 22 million records, underscores the need for robust technology and cybersecurity measures to safeguard customer data. The low ransom demand by the alleged hacker, Dedale, has raised eyebrows in the cybersecurity community, with experts questioning the authenticity and value of the data.

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