Kering Confirms Massive Data Breach Affecting Millions of Luxury Brand Customers
Luxury fashion conglomerate Kering has confirmed a significant data breach affecting millions of customers from its high-end brands, including Gucci, Balenciaga, and Alexander McQueen. The breach was orchestrated by the notorious hacker group 'Shiny Hunters'.
Kering revealed that the breach occurred after failed negotiations with the hackers, who demanded a ransom in April. Despite refusing to pay, the company has assured customers that no financial information was compromised.
Shiny Hunters claimed to have data linked to 7.4 million unique email addresses. The stolen data includes names, contact details, addresses, and spending habits of customers. The group shared a sample of the data with the BBC to substantiate their claims.
This attack is part of a broader trend targeting luxury brands. Similar breaches have hit other prominent fashion houses like Cartier and Louis Vuitton, affecting hundreds of thousands of customers.
Kering has notified the relevant data protection authorities about the breach. While no financial information was compromised, customers whose personal data may have been exposed are advised to remain vigilant against potential phishing attempts or identity fraud. The company continues to investigate the incident and strengthen its security measures.