Data Stolen From 17 Million D. Telekom Mobile Users
Posted on: Monday, 6 October 2008, 13:25 CDT
In its second major security scandal this year, German company Deutsche Telekom said thieves have hijacked sensitive data on millions of mobile phone customers.
A report by Der Spiegel magazine released ahead of publication on Monday documents the incident that stems from a theft of data in 2006 that only came to light recently. The magazine said it was able to track down information on 17 million Telekom mobile users.
"Apart from names, addresses and cell phone numbers, the data, in some cases, also include the date of birth or e-mail addresses," Deutsche Telekom said. "The records do not contain bank details, credit card numbers or call data."
The theft was reported to prosecutors in early 2006 and the company found no evidence that the records were used to harass users or were otherwise abused by the thieves, Deutsche Telekom said.
Nonetheless, the data could pose a security threat for prominent politicians, business leaders and clergy whose personal details leaked out.
A ministry spokeswoman said the interior ministry has asked investigators to analyze the potential danger to several people, but she declined to give any more details.
Since the theft, Telekom said it had tightened security. It offered to let mobile phone customers change their numbers at no charge and set up a toll-free hotline to handle queries.
Deutsche Telekom said in May it uncovered illegal monitoring in 2005 of call records amid claims management spied on rebel directors and journalists to find out who was leaking information.
An investigation has been opened in that case.
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Source: redOrbit Staff & Wire Reports
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