instagram data breach
Instagram Data Breach News: The youth’s favorite photo and video sharing social media platform Instagram is currently in the news and the reason for this is the news of alleged data leakage of crores of its users. Data of about 17.5 million i.e. 1.76 crore Instagram users has been leaked – this claim was made by antivirus software company Malwarebytes. As soon as this news came, millions of Instagram users got worried and if you also use this social media platform then you should know about it.
What are the allegations from Malwarebytes?
Cyber security firm Malwarebytes alleged that due to a data breach, sensitive data and important information of 17.5 million Instagram users has been leaked, this especially includes the username, email address, phone number and physical address of Instagram users. Information related to about 17.5 million Instagram users is being sold on the dark web. After this allegation by Malwarebytes, this matter came into greater discussion. The data reportedly included user names, email addresses, phone numbers and, in some cases, even addresses, according to the firm.
Cyber criminals can misuse
The company further said that this data is available for sale on the dark web and cyber criminals can misuse it. Malwarebytes said in an email to its users that it discovered the breach during a routine dark web scan and that it is linked to a possible incident related to the leak of the Instagram API in 2024.
What was the reason for the news and fear of data leak?
Last week, many Instagram users from different regions complained that they received password reset information without requesting. The above claims also continue to fuel speculation that Instagram has suffered a major data leak, leading users to change their passwords and share their experiences on the social media platform, especially X.
What answer has Meta given?
A Meta spokesperson rejected the claims of a data leak. In a statement issued to Hindustan Times, the company said it has identified and fixed an issue that was causing an external party to send password reset emails to some Instagram users. Meta clarified that this activity did not involve unauthorized access to its systems or users’ accounts. A Meta spokesperson also said, “We have fixed an issue that allowed an external party to send password reset emails to some Instagram users. There has been no breach of our systems and people’s Instagram accounts are safe.” Meta further said that users who have received such emails can ignore them and apologized for the inconvenience caused.
What should users do?
Although Meta says that no data has been leaked, cyber security experts generally advise users to remain cautious. Users are asked to turn on two-factor authentication, avoid clicking links in unsolicited emails, and regularly review account security settings. It is also recommended to change your password as a precaution, especially if similar emails are received.
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