Discord Hack Exposes Government IDs of 70,000 Users
In a disturbing revelation, Discord has announced that hackers may have stolen government-issued ID photos of approximately 70,000 users after breaching a third-party service handling customer data. The affected users were primarily those who had appealed age-related issues and submitted their IDs to Discord's support teams.
According to an official statement from Discord, the breach occurred when hackers accessed a third-party service that handled customer data, including images of government-issued IDs. These photos were required by Discord for users who were reported to be under the minimum age for their country or had appealed age-related issues. In some cases, users were allowed to prove their age with a selfie showing their face.
The incident raises concerns about potential identity theft risks for the impacted users. "This is a serious breach of trust and security," said an expert in cybersecurity, who wished to remain anonymous. "Users should be vigilant and monitor their accounts closely for any suspicious activity."
Discord requires certain users to provide a photo or scan of their driver's license or other government ID that shows they meet the minimum age requirements in their country. The social media site imposes these requirements on users who are reported by other users to be under the minimum age for the country they're connected to.
The breach is believed to have occurred when hackers accessed the third-party service, which handled customer data, including images of government-issued IDs. Discord has assured its users that it is taking immediate action to secure their accounts and prevent further breaches.
In a statement, Discord said: "We take the security of our users' data very seriously and are working closely with law enforcement and cybersecurity experts to investigate this incident." The company added that it would provide affected users with additional support and guidance on how to protect themselves from potential identity theft risks.
As the investigation continues, Discord is urging its users to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity. Users can also take steps to protect their accounts by enabling two-factor authentication and regularly monitoring their account activity.
The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of robust security measures in protecting user data. As cybersecurity threats continue to evolve, companies must prioritize the safety and security of their users' information.
Discord has not disclosed when the breach occurred or how long it took for the company to detect the issue. However, the company has assured its users that it is taking immediate action to secure their accounts and prevent further breaches.
In response to the incident, Discord is offering additional support and guidance to affected users. Users can visit the company's website for more information on how to protect themselves from potential identity theft risks.
As the investigation continues, experts warn of the potential consequences of this breach. "This type of breach can have serious consequences for individuals," said an expert in cybersecurity. "Users should be aware of the risks and take steps to protect themselves."
The incident highlights the need for companies to prioritize user data security and implement robust measures to prevent such breaches from occurring in the future.
In conclusion, the breach of Discord's third-party service has exposed government IDs of approximately 70,000 users. The company is working closely with law enforcement and cybersecurity experts to investigate the incident and provide affected users with additional support and guidance on how to protect themselves from potential identity theft risks.
This story was compiled from reports by Ars Technica UK and Ars Technica UK.
