By Ashwani Mishra, Editor-Technology, 63SATS Cybertech
Tamil Nadu’s labour department faced repeated hacks, leaking sensitive employer and worker data. South Korea’s SK Telecom confirmed a customer data breach caused by malware. The FBI sought public help to identify Salt Typhoon, a Chinese hacker group targeting global telecoms. Africa’s MTN Group revealed a cyberattack exposing customer information.
Meanwhile, OpenAI’s Sam Altman defended privacy practices amid scrutiny over Tools for Humanity’s biometric World Network project. In retail, Marks & Spencer paused online orders following a cyberattack, highlighting the growing vulnerability of businesses worldwide.
Tamil Nadu Labour Portal Breached Twice; Sensitive Data Stolen
In a major data breach, personal information of employers and employees from across Tamil Nadu was stolen twice in 2024. Hackers targeted the state labour department’s portal and the interstate migrant workers’ system, stealing Aadhaar, PAN, phone numbers, and bank details.
The thefts occurred in May and November by two different hacker groups, who allegedly sold the data on the dark web. The compromised information spanned various labour laws, including the Tamil Nadu Shops Act and Beedi Workers Act. An FIR filed in November detailed the scale of the attack and the sensitive nature of the leaked records.
SK Telecom Confirms Major Data Breach, Vows Stronger Cybersecurity
South Korea’s top telecom provider, SK Telecom, revealed a significant customer data breach following a malware attack detected on April 18. CEO Ryu Young-sang issued an apology, pledging to overhaul cybersecurity measures. Although no misuse of leaked data has been confirmed, the company reported the incident to regulators and swiftly removed malicious software.
Steps include enhanced monitoring, illegal SIM detection improvements, and a free SIM protection service. SK Telecom emphasized that a full investigation is underway as it collaborates with authorities to ensure customer trust is restored and future breaches are prevented.
FBI Seeks Public’s Help to Expose Salt Typhoon Hackers
The FBI has called for public assistance in identifying Salt Typhoon, a Chinese state-backed hacking group behind telecom breaches across the U.S. and worldwide. The attackers infiltrated networks of major providers like AT&T and Verizon, even accessing law enforcement wiretapping systems.
Sensitive call logs and private communications of a few U.S. officials were compromised. Authorities describe the cyber campaign as broad and alarming, targeting victims globally. As investigations continue, the FBI highlights the urgent need to strengthen network security and calls for more intelligence to bring the perpetrators to justice.
MTN Group Reports Cyberattack Impacting Customer Information
Africa’s telecom giant MTN Group announced a cybersecurity incident exposing customer data across several markets. The Johannesburg-based company disclosed that an unidentified party accessed parts of its system, although core operations like billing and financial services remained secure.
MTN, serving over 200 million subscribers across 20 countries, is working with law enforcement agencies to investigate the breach. While the full scope remains unclear, MTN is notifying affected customers and emphasizing that no direct compromises to accounts or wallets have been detected so far.
Sam Altman Urges Patience on AI Privacy Issues Amid Scrutiny
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman stressed the need for thoughtful evolution rather than rushed regulation as concerns over AI and privacy rise. His nonprofit, Tools for Humanity, faces global scrutiny for its World Network project, which verifies identities through iris scans. Critics in Germany, Spain, Brazil, and other countries are probing how biometric data is handled.
Despite growing regulatory pressures, Altman argues that society must better understand these technologies before imposing limits that could stifle innovation. The debate intensifies around how personal data should be collected and safeguarded in an AI-driven world.
Marks & Spencer Suspends Online Orders After Cyberattack
British retail giant Marks & Spencer temporarily halted online orders following a cyberattack. While browsing remains available on M&S’s website and apps, the company paused purchases to manage the incident proactively. M&S, with over 1,400 stores globally and revenues exceeding £13 billion, reassured customers that physical stores remain fully operational.
Listed on the London Stock Exchange and part of the FTSE100 Index, the retailer apologized for the inconvenience. Recovery efforts are ongoing, with cybersecurity teams working to secure systems and restore full online service as soon as possible.
