Uber hack raises disclosure concerns, calls for stronger data protection
The theft of details on millions of Uber customers, and the company’s efforts to cover up the breach, have raised alarms among privacy experts and renewed calls for better data protection laws in Canada.
Uber admitted Tuesday that hackers stole names, email addresses and mobile phone numbers of 57 million riders close to a year ago. It has also acknowledged that it paid US$100,000 to the thieves to have the data destroyed.
“That hiding of things, or that lack of communication over the breach, that is certainly a major concern for me,” said Satyamoorthy Kabilan, director of national security at the Conference Board of Canada.
He said it’s important for companies to be proactive about disclosures so victims can respond, security experts can learn from the breach, and companies can maintain the trust of customers.