FAFacebook
Critical
A data breach exposed records of over 500 million Facebook users online due to a previously patched vulnerability.
509,458,528 recordsBreach Aug 1, 2019Updated Apr 6, 2021
Exposed data classes
Fields reported as compromised in this breach record.
Dates of birthEmail addressesEmployersGendersGeographic locationsNamesPhone numbersRelationship statuses
Detailed Analysis
In-depth analysis of the breach and its implications.
In April 2021, a dataset containing records of over 500 million Facebook users was leaked online. Originating from a vulnerability that was reportedly patched in August 2019, the data largely connected users' phone numbers to names, genders, and other details like dates of birth and relationship statuses.
Impact Analysis
Understanding the scope and consequences of this breach.
- User Impact
- Users may experience heightened risks from phishing attacks linked to exposed phone numbers and associated data.
- Business Impact
- Facebook faced reputational damage and scrutiny regarding the robustness of its data protection measures.
- Affected Sectors
- Social Media
- Technology
- Geographic Impact
- Global
What You Should Do
Recommended actions to take in response to this breach.
If You Were Affected
- •Monitor for targeted phishing or vishing attempts.
- •Consider changing passwords and securing accounts.
- •Utilize two-factor authentication wherever possible.
Preventive Measures
- •Be cautious with sharing contact details on public forums.
- •Employ privacy-enhancing settings and tools on social platforms.
- •Regularly audit app permissions and data sharing options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this breach and what it means for you.
The dataset contained phone numbers, names, genders, geographical locations, dates of birth, relationship statuses, and employers for over 500 million users.