AT&T is looking into a security breach from two weeks ago that resulted in the data of millions of its customers being exposed on the dark web.
The dark web is a hidden section of the Internet accessible only through specific software.
The telecommunications giant has taken measures to secure the accounts of the 7.6 million affected current customers by resetting their passcodes and notifying them.
AT&T is also contacting the 65.4 million former customers whose information was also leaked.
The company wrote in a press release: “As of today, this incident has not had a material impact on AT&T’s operations.”
An initial probe suggests that the compromised data dates back to 2019 and includes sensitive personal details like names, addresses, phone numbers, birth dates, and Social Security numbers.
But it does not extend to financial information or call records.
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AT&T advises affected users, who will be informed via email, to activate fraud alerts on their accounts and closely monitor their account statements and credit reports.
The origin of the data leak has yet to be determined.
This incident follows a major network outage in February, which AT&T attributed to a technical malfunction rather than a cyberattack.
CEO John Stankey issued an apology for the inconvenience caused and offered compensation to those affected.