March 21st 2017
Mobile network Three is the latest subject of a high-profile data breach, allegedly following a technical error which resulted in customers being presented with other subscribers’ account details including phone numbers, call logs and bills.
According to The Guardian, one Three customer became aware of the incident after another customer – who had access to his account – phoned to warn of the issue. Mark Thompson wrote on Three’s Facebook page: “Care to explain just how my details have been shared, how many people have had access to my personal information, for how long, and how many of your other customers have had their details leaked by yourselves to other members of the public as well?” Other customers commented via Facebook and Twitter that they had also been affected in the same way, whilst others said that some of the provider’s online services and applications had been inaccessible.
A Three spokesman told The Guardian: “We are aware of a small number of customers who may have been able to view the mobile account details of other Three users using My3. No financial details were viewable during this time and we are investigating the matter.”
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) is investigating the incident.
Three also advised: “If people are concerned their details may have been used, there are measures they can take to guard against identity theft, for instance being vigilant around items on their credit card statements or checking your credit ratings.”
Last November saw Three’s customer database – which includes names, addresses and dates of birth of customers due for handset upgrades – being hacked.
