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AP

Appen

High

Appen's 2020 breach exposed sensitive data of 5.9 million users, later distributed online.

Records exposed
5,888,405 records
Breach date
Breach Jun 22, 2020
Last update
Updated Jul 30, 2020

What data was exposed?

Fields reported as compromised in this breach record.

Email addressesEmployersIP addressesNamesPasswordsPhone numbers

Why does this breach matter?

In-depth analysis of the breach and its implications.

In June 2020, Appen, a company specializing in AI training data solutions, experienced a data breach affecting nearly 5.9 million user records. The compromised data included sensitive information such as names, email addresses, bcrypt-hashed passwords, phone numbers, employers, and IP addresses. This breach was later disseminated online and reported publicly by security platforms.

Impact Analysis

Understanding the scope and consequences of this breach.

User Impact
Compromised personal data increases risk of online account compromise.
Business Impact
Reputation damage and potential legal ramifications for inadequate data protection measures.
Affected Sectors
  • Technology and AI industry
  • Business process outsourcing
Geographic Impact
  • Global

What You Should Do

Recommended actions to take in response to this breach.

If You Were Affected

  • Update compromised passwords immediately, prioritizing unique and strong passwords.
  • Enable multifactor authentication for all financial and sensitive accounts.
  • Monitor accounts for unusual activity or unauthorized access.
  • Utilize identity protection services as needed.

Preventive Measures

  • Regularly audit third-party service providers on security compliance.
  • Enhance account security with strong passwords and enable multifactor authentication.
  • Educate users about phishing and data security best practices.
  • Secure sensitive data using encryption and robust access controls.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this breach and what it means for you.

Compromised data included names, email addresses, bcrypt-hashed passwords, phone numbers, employers, and IP addresses.