[Techcrunch] A huge database of Facebook users phone numbers found online

[Andrew]

The exposed server contained more than 419 million records over several databases on users across geographies, including 133 million records on U.S.-based Facebook users, 18 million records of users in the U.K., and another with more than 50 million records on users in Vietnam.

...

TechCrunch verified a number of records in the database by matching a known Facebook user’s phone number against their listed Facebook ID. We also checked other records by matching phone numbers against Facebook’s own password reset feature, which can be used to partially reveal a user’s phone number linked to their account.

 

Some of the records also had the user’s name, gender and location by country.

 

Source

 

I honestly have no idea why people still use Facebook. They've had several serious privacy breaches over the last 3 years.

[Alex]

I think you should really expect zero privacy or data safety if you use Facebook and put extensive details in there...

[Andrew]

The problem with that is if you want to create an account now, you have to use your phone number. You can't just put a generic number in either, it has to be a mobile number so they can text you a verification code. I don't really want Facebook to have my phone number at all. Not to mention the other data leaks they have.

[ENTERPRISE]

Bummer.

 

Unfortunately while data breaches suck, I will still remain on FB to two reasons that other platforms fail to do for me or simply does not exist.

 

1. It is great for networking with friends, family and business.

 

2. Its social media promo features.

 

To be honest though FB will always be targeted due to how large they are. If there was another company just as large, we would be hearing about similar breaches. Is it good or right ? Hell no ! But is it part and parcel of the digital world we live in... I'm afraid so.

 

You just have to take care of your own security as best you can.

[Andrew]

I do completely understand why Facebook keep getting targeted for these attacks, but the things is, this is now the fourth, maybe fifth time there has been a data breach where this type of information is leaked/published. The first time it happens, it's "okay" but after that, you'd think they'd stop storing this type of data in plain text.

[ENTERPRISE]

I do completely understand why Facebook keep getting targeted for these attacks, but the things is, this is now the fourth, maybe fifth time there has been a data breach where this type of information is leaked/published. The first time it happens, it's "okay" but after that, you'd think they'd stop storing this type of data in plain text.

 

I agree, all companies have a duty to make sure that data is kept safe to the best of their ability. It boggles my mind as to why some companies are still storing some data in plain txt. It was never ok, and its especially not ok to be doing it in this day and age.

[Artikbot]

My first guess would be that it saves in processing power -> lower running costs -> mad profit.

[ENTERPRISE]

My first guess would be that it saves in processing power -> lower running costs -> mad profit.

 

While possible, it would be a false economy. After you get fined millions for the balls up..it may work out cheaper just to have decent security in the first place.

[Simmons]

Admittedly, I do not believe the fines that they have been accruing come anywhere close to the profits they are making from selling the data.

 

It seems like the business model is: store and sell as quickly as possible -> data breech occurs -> eat the fines and bad pr -> "fix" the known problem -> rinse and repeat

[ENTERPRISE]

Admittedly, I do not believe the fines that they have been accruing come anywhere close to the profits they are making from selling the data.

 

It seems like the business model is: store and sell as quickly as possible -> data breech occurs -> eat the fines and bad pr -> "fix" the known problem -> rinse and repeat

 

This is what happens when any company becomes to big. While the law still applies to them, they are free to carry on as normal and just pay the fines. The fines while a dent in their finances, is just that...a dent. If the fine equates to less hassle and resources vs a proper fix, then they will stick with just getting fined