Vi (formerly Vodafone Idea) has exposed its user data – including records of 20 million postpaid customers – to hacking, claims cyber security firm CyberX9. Phone numbers, addresses, call logs, SMS records and mobile internet usage details of around 301 million customers, including all postpaid users, were found to have been leaked online. Vodafone Idea later denied the data breach and called the reports false and malicious. The telecom company claims that the potential vulnerability in billing communications was fixed immediately after it became aware of it.
According to a Report By cybersecurity firm CyberX9, several vulnerabilities including Vi exposed call records, SMS details, internet usage details, location details, full name, Vi phone number, residential address, alternate contact number, bill details and nearly 301 million customers. They claimed that the exposed data included records of 20 million customers who had subscribed to the telecom company’s postpaid services. The allegedly exposed call data records contain personal details of Vi customers including their phone number and alternate contact numbers, residential address and details of their family members.
“This will permanently damage the privacy and security of millions of Vodafone Idea customers”, said CyberX9. The company further accused Vodafone Idea of disclosing sensitive customer data for the past two years saying that the leaked data might have been stolen by malicious hackers.
Meanwhile, Vodafone Idea has rejected this claim. Gadgets360 reached out to the company for comment on the issue and received the following statement from a Vi spokesperson:
“There is no data breach as alleged in the report. The report is false and malicious. We learn about potential vulnerabilities in billing communications. This was immediately fixed and a thorough forensic analysis was carried out to ensure there was no data breach. We have notified the appropriate agencies and made appropriate disclosures.”
“Vi customer data remains completely safe and secure,” Vi added.
