Dark web leak reveals 19.7M older persons’ personal data

[webfact]

A dark web data leak has exposed the personal details of 19.7 million members of the Department of Older Persons (DOP) in Thailand, sparking the Thailand Consumers Council to prompt immediate action. The council has implored the DOP to enlighten its members about the potential risks they face and to devise strategies that will ensure the protection of their data.

 

Supinya Klangnarong, leading the Telecoms and ICT subcommittee of the Thailand Consumers Council, asserted yesterday, February 10, the necessity for the DOP to acknowledge the data leak and inform the affected individuals. This approach would allow them to brace for any impending risks.

 

A report issued on January 22 by Resecurity, a private cybersecurity firm based in the US, unveiled 19,718,687 lines of personally identifiable information (PII). The exposed data featured names, addresses, phone numbers, ID numbers, emails, signatures, and ID card photos of Thai citizens, all available on the dark web. The DOP was identified as the source of the data leak.

 

Supinya expressed deep concerns over the data breach. She pointed out the current predicament where delays in taking action and weak enforcement prevail, despite the existence of the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA). She also underscored the elderly’s limited knowledge about modern technology, suggesting that the government should create digital functions that cater to their needs, reported Bangkok Post.

 

by Mitch Connor

Picture courtesy of Towfiqu barbhuiya, Unsplash

 

Full story: The Thaiger 2024-02-12

 

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[flyingtlger]

The only thing going for the Thai folks that got caught up in this mess is that the Thai names are so unique that it'll be hard to use illegally and take advantage worldwide, as opposed to a "Smith" or "Johnson"....

[Tony M]

That doesn't really bode well for Thailand's Revenue Department having access to every tax-resident ex-pats' bank details. I don't have much confidence that the details won't end up on the dark web at some stage in the future. Happy to be corrected on that.

[hotchilli]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

A dark web data leak has exposed the personal details of 19.7 million members of the Department of Older Persons (DOP) in Thailand, sparking the Thailand Consumers Council to prompt immediate action.

A tad late one could say... 

[klauskunkel]

This year's data leak: the Department of Older Persons

Last year's data leak: the Public Health Ministry

Common ground: government agency

[CDG931]

 

That's what happens when there is corruption at all levels of society. No culture of responsibility and integrity. Exposing the private data of millions of senior citizens doesn't seem to weigh on some unscrupulous people's conscience.

 

Edited February 12 by CDG931

[ChaiyaTH]

7 hours ago, flyingtlger said:

The only thing going for the Thai folks that got caught up in this mess is that the Thai names are so unique that it'll be hard to use illegally and take advantage worldwide, as opposed to a "Smith" or "Johnson"....

Are you serious or what? There is like dozens of not hundreds of people here that have the same or similar names. And this has zero to do with using illegally or taking advantage of too.

[metisdead]

A post with nothing other than a trolling image contravening our Community Standards has been removed.

[john donson]

was it a hack or one of them officials trying to make a buck as usual