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Nearly All AT&T Customers Hit with Data Breach

By Laura Tucker
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Data breaches seem to be a dime a dozen these days, but sometimes they really stand out. One of those times is a data breach that hit nearly all AT&T customers, exposing their text and call history.

AT&T Learned of Breach in April

Nearly all AT&T customers have been affected by this data breach, which means unauthorized access to their personal information has occurred. This breach has exposed sensitive data, including text and call history, making it a significant privacy concern.

AT&T became aware of the breach in April, but the full extent of the compromised data is still being assessed. The breach took place between May 2022 and October 2022 and included both cellular and landline AT&T customers – around 110 million customers in all.

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Image source: Unsplash

The data breached was from calls and text messages – not the content, but the records of the calls and texts. Some of the records also included cell site identification numbers. This could help someone determine where the call or text message originated.

The company is currently investigating the incident and working to enhance its security measures to prevent future breaches. The records were stolen from cloud storage company Snowflake. Ticketmaster and LendingTree subsidiary QuoteWizard also recently had data stolen from Snowflake.

AT&T, the FBI, and Department of Justice are working together to investigate the AT&T case. Check out these deep web scanners that can help you check for personal data breaches.

Data Breach Aftermath

Many customers have expressed frustration and concern over the breach. The exposure of such personal information has led to a loss of trust in AT&T’s ability to safeguard their data. Social media platforms and forums are filled with complaints and calls for the company to be held accountable.

In response to the breach, AT&T has initiated several steps:

  • Investigation: a thorough investigation is underway to determine how the breach occurred and the scope of the compromised data.
  • Enhanced Security: the company is working to strengthen its cybersecurity measures to prevent future incidents.
  • Customer Support: AT&T has set up dedicated support lines to assist affected customers and provide guidance on protecting their personal information.
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Image source: Unsplash

Affected customers are advised to take several precautions:

  • Monitor accounts: regularly check phone and bank accounts for any suspicious activity.
  • Change passwords: update passwords for your AT&T account and any other accounts that may use the same credentials.
  • Be wary of phishing: be cautious of phishing attacks, emails or messages asking for personal information, as attackers may use the breached data for phishing attempts.

Data breaches are becoming increasingly common, but the scale of this incident with AT&T highlights the importance of robust cybersecurity measures. It serves as a reminder to both companies and individuals to prioritize data protection and stay vigilant against potential threats.

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Image credit: Unsplash

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Laura Tucker Avatar
Laura Tucker
Laura has spent more than 20 years writing news, reviews, and op-eds, with the majority of those years as an editor as well. She has exclusively used Apple products for the past 35 years. In addition to writing and editing at MTE, she also runs the site’s sponsored review program.

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