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Location Tracking Company Unacast Confirms Data Hack, Norway Notified

Unacast, a location tracking company, has confirmed to the Norwegian government that it fell victim to a hacking incident, as reported by Norwegian public broadcaster NRK on Friday. The breach, which was discovered on January 4, involved the theft of information from Gravy Analytics, Unacast’s data broker subsidiary, using a “misappropriated” key.

While claims surfaced last week regarding the breach of Gravy Analytics’ data, experts who reviewed the leaked data indicated that it appeared to be legitimate. However, Unacast has yet to comment publicly on the situation, despite repeated requests for information.

A notice to Norway’s data protection authority explained that a preliminary investigation suggested some of the stolen files might contain personal data, though further investigation into the breach’s exact timing and scope is ongoing. Unacast’s lawyers, BakerHostetler, are handling the legal aspects of the situation. Despite attempts, NRK has been unable to reach Norway’s data protection authority for comment.

 

Rhode Island Faces Data Breach as Hackers Demand Ransom

Rhode Island has been struck by a significant data breach, potentially compromising the personal and financial information of hundreds of thousands of residents. The breach, attributed to an international cybercriminal group, involves stolen sensitive data, including Social Security numbers, and has led to extortion demands. The hackers have threatened to release the information unless a ransom is paid, state officials reported on Saturday.

Governor Dan McKee confirmed that the breach affects individuals enrolled in the state’s government assistance programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and healthcare services provided through HealthSource RI. The attack targeted the state’s RIBridges portal, an online platform for accessing social services, which was breached earlier this month.

Although the breach was initially detected, it was only confirmed on Friday after the state’s vendor, Deloitte, validated the hacking incident. The governor’s office stated that Deloitte had confirmed a high probability that a cybercriminal had accessed files containing personally identifiable information.

The breach may affect anyone who has applied for or received assistance through these programs since 2016. In response to the threat, RIBridges has been temporarily shut down, and those applying for new benefits will be required to use paper applications until the system is secured and restored.

Households believed to be affected by the breach will receive official notification from the state, along with guidance on how to protect their personal and financial data.