Nearly one-third of the US population may have had their personal data exposed following a leak at background check firm MC2 Data.
To carry out its checks, MC2 Data compiles data from a range of sources, including criminal records, employment history, family data, and contact details. This data is used to create profiles of individuals that are then sold to employers and landlords.
The company operates several websites, including PrivateRecords.net, PrivateReports, PeopleSearcher, ThePeopleSearchers, and PeopleSearchUSA.
According to Cybernews, which uncovered the breach, the exposed data is believed to include names, birthdates, email addresses, phone numbers, passwords, IP addresses, property records, and more.
Data on some clients seeking background checks was also exposed.
The leak is believed to have been caused by human error, with the 2.2TB of data left without a password and easily accessible to anyone on the internet.
Nearly one-third of the US population may have had their personal data exposed following a leak at background check firm MC2 Data.
To carry out its checks, MC2 Data compiles data from a range of sources, including criminal records, employment history, family data, and contact details. This data is used to create profiles of individuals that are then sold to employers and landlords.
The company operates several websites, including PrivateRecords.net, PrivateReports, PeopleSearcher, ThePeopleSearchers, and PeopleSearchUSA.
According to Cybernews, which uncovered the breach, the exposed data is believed to include names, birthdates, email addresses, phone numbers, passwords, IP addresses, property records, and more.
Data on some clients seeking background checks was also exposed.
The leak is believed to have been caused by human error, with the 2.2TB of data left without a password and easily accessible to anyone on the internet.