Personal data of 13 million online users leaked in data breach

The Digital Economy and Society Minister is calling in the experts after revelations that a data breach means the personal data of over 13 million online users has been compromised. The details of the accounts have been found up for sale on an underground website, according to a Thai PBS World report. The news has sparked condemnation of Thailand’s cybersecurity.

It’s understood the data includes names, phone numbers, and email addresses, as well as information on online transactions carried out by users of Lazada, Shopee, Line and Facebook, as well as several other online platforms. It’s believed the data breach applies to transactions that took place in 2018.

The DES Minister, Buddhipongse Punnakanta, has contacted Lazada Thailand, who confirmed the breach was not at their end and are now investigating further. Meanwhile, the DES has invited online security experts from the Electronic Transactions Development Agency and the National Cybersecurity Commission, as well as representatives from each of the affected platforms, to a meeting next week to discuss ways of preventing such incidents.

The ministry insists the protection of online users’ personal data is a top priority and is working with all relevant bodies to beat the threat of cyber-attacks.

SOURCE: Nation Thailand