AngelSense Security Breach: Personal Data and Location of Users Exposed

AngelSense Security Breach: Personal Data and Location of Users Exposed

AngelSense, a prominent assistive technology company specializing in location monitoring devices for individuals with disabilities, has recently come under scrutiny for leaking sensitive user data online. This breach, which exposed personally identifiable information and precise location data, raises significant concerns about data security and privacy.

Data Breach Details

According to a report by TechCrunch, the company took action to secure the exposed server only after being notified by researchers at the security firm UpGuard. This incident highlights the critical need for robust data protection measures in technology companies.

What Was Exposed?

The exposed database contained a wealth of sensitive information, including:

  • Personal Information: Names, postal addresses, and phone numbers of AngelSense customers.
  • GPS Coordinates: Real-time location data of individuals being monitored, along with associated health conditions like autism and dementia.
  • Account Details: Email addresses, passwords, and authentication tokens.
  • Financial Data: Partial credit card information visible in plaintext.

Response from AngelSense

AngelSense’s CEO, Doron Somer, confirmed the company acted promptly to address the issue after initially mistaking UpGuard’s alert as spam. “Upon its discovery, we acted promptly to validate the information provided to us and to remedy the vulnerability,” Somer stated.

Investigation and Notifications

While Somer stated that there was no evidence of data misuse, he acknowledged that it remains unclear how long the database was exposed or how many customers were affected. The company is currently investigating whether they will notify affected individuals and regulators.

Common Causes of Database Exposures

Data exposures are often attributed to misconfigurations rather than malicious intent. Such incidents have become increasingly prevalent, highlighting the necessity for companies to implement stringent security protocols. Previous breaches have involved:

  • Sensitive U.S. military emails.
  • Real-time leaks of two-factor authentication codes.
  • Chat histories from AI chatbots.
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For more insights on data security practices, you can explore the UpGuard blog, which details the findings of their research team.

In conclusion, the AngelSense data breach serves as a crucial reminder of the importance of data security in technology. Companies must prioritize the protection of sensitive information to safeguard their customers and maintain trust in their services.

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