Norton, a security company has warned of the dangers of sharing information with ride-sharing platforms after personal customer data from GpGet car-sharing service was exposed by a hacker.
The breach in GoGet’s system happened last summer after an individual tried to access the company’s booking system in an attempt to use the shared vehicles for free. During the process, the hacker was able to access personal data belonging to customers as well.
Authorities arrested a 37-year-old man over the breach with the allegations that he infiltrated the company’s system more than 30 times between May and June of last year.
Mark Gorrie at Norton commented on the attack, saying the breach is similar to the Uber attack in November which exposed personal data from 57 million members.
“This is an example of how data and privacy shouldn’t be mutually exclusive,” he said, “People need to be wary when using ride-sharing apps.”
The security company has a few suggestions for both ride-sharing platforms and users to help prevent these kinds of cyber attacks from happening in the future.
They warn that ride-sharing companies have the ability to share data with third parties. Before you, the user, decide to download an app like this, read over the privacy policy. The information there should be clear about the company’s intent when it comes to the use of your data.
Norton says that until all ride-sharing companies are held accountable for how they collect, store, and protect consumer data, responsibility ultimately falls to the users to be aware of the companies they conduct business with and to be diligent, educated, and aware of how their data is handled when using services and apps.
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