Facebook today released new information regarding a data attack that compromised the personal data of 30 million users. It was originally estimated that 50 million users were impacted. That number has now been lowered to 30 million. Here's the latest on the issue from Facebook, and how marketers should be prepared for what comes next. The Latest Information From Facebook on the Data Attack There were two key items in the update from Facebook today: The number of people affected: Facebook estimates that 30 millions accounts had their private data compromised, which is fewer than the original figure of 50 million. For another 14 million users, hackers gained those same two sets of information, as well as a plethora of personal details. now the negative: if you've been affected by this attack, this is the wealth of personal information they've accessed. thanks Facebook! Could this latest data attack be the last straw for users? While 60% of the users we surveyed when news of it first broke said that the breach has not caused them to stop using Facebook, or delete their accounts -- these latest details might change their minds.
Facebook today released new information regarding a data attack that compromised the personal data of 30 million users.
First reported on September 28 — approximately three days after the full issue was allegedly first discovered — a vulnerability in Facebook’s “View As” feature allowed hackers to gain unauthorized access to private account information for personal user accounts.
It was originally estimated that 50 million users were impacted. That number has now been lowered to 30 million.
Here’s the latest on the issue from Facebook, and how marketers should be prepared for what comes next.
The Latest Information From Facebook on the Data Attack
There were two key items in the update from Facebook today:
- The number of people affected: Facebook estimates that 30 millions accounts had their private data compromised, which is fewer than the original figure of 50 million.
- The nature of the personal data obtained by hackers.
Of the 30 million users affected by the incident, 15 million of them had two sets of information compromised: their names and their contact details. Information within the latter includes user phone numbers, email addresses, or both, depending on what each user disclosed on their profiles.
For another 14 million users, hackers gained those same two sets of information, as well as a plethora of personal details. These include:
- Username
- Gender
- Locale/language
- Relationship status
- Religion
- Hometown
- Self-reported current city
- Birthdate
- Device types used to access Facebook
- Education
- Work
- The last 10 places they checked into or were tagged in
- Website
- People or Pages they follow
- Their 15 most recent searches
Users can see whether or not they were affected by the security issue here.
New York Times tech reporter Mike…
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