A group of hackers known as ShinyHunters has claimed responsibility for stealing the personal details of 560 million Ticketmaster customers, including names, addresses, phone numbers, and partial credit card details. The group is demanding a $500,000 ransom to prevent the data from being sold to other parties.
The Australian government is working with Ticketmaster to address the issue, with the FBI offering assistance as well. Cyber security experts are warning that the claims could be false, but authorities in Australia have confirmed they are investigating.
The alleged hack coincides with the relaunch of BreachForums, a site on the dark web where hackers buy and sell stolen material. The FBI cracked down on the domain in March 2023, but it has reappeared, according to tech media.
Ticketmaster has faced security issues in the past, including a $10 million fine in 2020 for hacking into a competitor. In November, the company was allegedly hit by a cyber attack that affected ticket sales for Taylor Swift’s tour.
US regulators have also sued Live Nation, Ticketmaster’s parent company, accusing them of using illegal tactics to maintain a monopoly over the live music industry. The lawsuit claims that these practices have led to higher ticket prices and worse service for customers.
The BBC has reached out to Live Nation for comment on the latest security breach. If verified, this hack could be the most significant breach ever in terms of numbers and the extent of the data stolen.
