Massive PowerSchool Data Breach Exposes Personal Information of 16,000 UK Students

Massive PowerSchool Data Breach Exposes Personal Information of 16,000 UK Students

The recent PowerSchool data breach has raised significant concerns regarding the security of personal information for students in the UK. In December 2024, the U.S. edtech giant confirmed that hackers accessed sensitive data belonging to approximately 16,000 students in the United Kingdom. This incident has sparked discussions about data protection and privacy in educational technology.

Details of the PowerSchool Data Breach

PowerSchool, a leading provider of educational software, reported the breach after confirming it in January. The company stated that hackers gained access to personal data through compromised credentials that infiltrated its customer support portal.

Extent of Data Compromised

While PowerSchool has not disclosed the total number of international students affected, a spokesperson indicated that:

  • Four schools in the UK were impacted.
  • Approximately 16,000 students had their data accessed.

The data that was compromised includes:

  • Contact information
  • Dates of birth
  • Limited medical data
  • Other related information

Response from PowerSchool and Authorities

Following the breach, PowerSchool communicated with individuals affected outside the U.S. and Canada. However, it has chosen not to offer credit monitoring services to these victims. The company’s incident page was offline at the time of this report.

Interaction with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)

Lucy Milburn, a representative from the UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), stated that they have not received a formal data breach report from PowerSchool. The spokesperson for PowerSchool clarified that the organization does not act as a data controller under UK data protection laws, which is why they have not filed a report.

Broader Impact of the Breach

Reports suggest that the breach may have affected the personal and sensitive data of over 62 million students and 9.5 million teachers. Although PowerSchool has not confirmed this figure, they acknowledge that their technology services more than 60 million students globally.

READ ALSO  Critical Alert: Palo Alto Networks Discovers New Firewall Vulnerability Targeted by Hackers

If you have more information regarding the PowerSchool data breach, you can reach out securely via Signal at +44 1536 853968 or email [email protected].

For further reading on data breaches and their implications, visit ICO’s official website or check out related articles on TechCrunch.

Similar Posts

UK Approves IBM's $6.4 Billion Acquisition of HashiCorp: A Game-Changer in Cloud Infrastructure

UK Approves IBM’s $6.4 Billion Acquisition of HashiCorp: A Game-Changer in Cloud Infrastructure

Bysupport

The U.K.’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has approved IBM’s $6.4 billion acquisition of HashiCorp, a move aimed at bolstering IBM’s position in the hybrid cloud market. This acquisition follows IBM’s previous investments in Red Hat and Apptio. The CMA plans to publish a detailed rationale soon, as IBM expects to finalize the deal by the end of 2024. While the U.K. has embraced a pro-technology stance, concerns have arisen among smaller firms regarding the CMA’s new direction under chair Doug Gurr. Meanwhile, the acquisition remains under review by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission.

Meta Entices TikTok Creators with $5K Bonuses, Exclusive Content Deals, and Free Verification!

Meta Resolves UK Ad-Tracking Lawsuit: No More Tracking for Plaintiff’s Privacy Rights

Bysupport

Human rights advocate Tanya O’Carroll has won a significant privacy victory against Meta, compelling the company to stop using her personal data for targeted advertising. This settlement follows her 2022 challenge against Meta’s data tracking practices, asserting her rights under U.K. and E.U. data protection laws. Although Meta disputed the claims, the case sets a precedent for others to assert their privacy rights. O’Carroll’s victory highlights the complexities of enforcing data protection laws like GDPR against tech giants. The U.K.’s Information Commissioner’s Office supported her case, indicating potential future shifts in Meta’s advertising model.

Dataminr Secures $85 Million Funding Round to Accelerate Growth in Analytics Solutions

Dataminr Secures $85 Million Funding Round to Accelerate Growth in Analytics Solutions

Bysupport

Dataminr, a data analytics firm serving clients like NATO and OpenAI, has secured $85 million in financing to enhance its offerings and expand globally. This funding follows a significant $475 million round in 2021 and comes after the company laid off 20% of its workforce to adapt to economic pressures. CEO Ted Bailey highlighted plans to broaden international reach and develop new products. The financing, led by NightDragon and HSBC, is categorized as “pre-IPO convertible financing.” Dataminr, founded in 2009, specializes in real-time event monitoring, boasting over 800 clients and a $282 million contract with the U.S. Department of Defense.

Mark Glover Joins Ortec Finance to Revolutionize Wealth Planning Solutions in the UK

Mark Glover Joins Ortec Finance to Revolutionize Wealth Planning Solutions in the UK

Bysupport

Ortec Finance has appointed Mark Glover as Managing Director and Head of UK Wealth Management to enhance its presence in the competitive UK market. Glover, with over 20 years of experience, previously led Financial Planning at HSBC and is expected to strengthen Ortec’s offerings for high-net-worth and mass affluent clients. The company emphasizes a bespoke approach to local market needs, offering scalable financial planning solutions. Glover’s leadership aims to drive growth and innovation, focusing on personalized, goal-based planning. This move positions Ortec Finance as a valuable partner for financial institutions seeking improved client engagement and revenue growth.

CISA Faces Legal Fallout: Urgent Outreach to Laid-Off Employees After Court Deems Layoffs Unlawful

CISA Faces Legal Fallout: Urgent Outreach to Laid-Off Employees After Court Deems Layoffs Unlawful

Bysupport

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) is working to reconnect with over 130 former employees unlawfully terminated by the Trump administration, following a U.S. District Court ruling mandating their reinstatement. The affected individuals were probationary employees laid off in February as part of workforce reductions. CISA is actively reaching out but lacks contact information for many, urging eligible former employees to provide their details securely. Rehired employees will receive administrative leave with full pay and benefits. Additional workforce cuts may be imminent, potentially affecting about 100 more employees, including those in critical roles.

North Korea Linked to $1.4 Billion Bybit Crypto Heist: Researchers Uncover Shocking Allegations

North Korea Linked to $1.4 Billion Bybit Crypto Heist: Researchers Uncover Shocking Allegations

Bysupport

Hackers have stolen approximately $1.4 billion in Ethereum from the crypto exchange Bybit, marking the largest crypto heist to date. Investigators, including ZachXBT and blockchain monitoring firm Elliptic, suspect North Korea’s Lazarus Group is behind the attack, citing patterns linking the theft to previous hacks involving other exchanges. North Korea has been implicated in at least 58 crypto heists, with reports suggesting it stole over $650 million in 2024 alone. Experts from TRM Labs also attribute the hack to North Korea, while Bybit has not commented on the allegations as investigations continue.