The parent firm of cryptocurrency wallet MetaMask, ConsenSys, reported a data breach involving user information.
The MetaMask browser extension and mobile app, according to the developers, are secure. Since the software is non-custodial, the bitcoin wallet actually doesn’t save any user data.
However, the corporation disclosed on Friday that one of its third-party service providers was responsible for the data theft. After Metamask’s new privacy policy allowed a communication protocol provider to get user information including the IP address and your Ethereum wallet address when processing transactions, it drew controversy in November 2022.
After receiving numerous complaints about collecting user data, Consensys later amended their privacy policy. Concerning the user data breach, Consensys had released a statement on Friday.
It claimed that between August 1, 2021, and February 10, 2023, only about 7,000 users who submitted personal data to MetaMask customer assistance were affected by the problem. The business made it clear that both the software and its browser extension were secure.
“It is important to note that the MetaMask browser extension and mobile app security were not affected by this incident. MetaMask users are unaffected if they did not submit personal data to MetaMask customer support ticketing system.”
The business provided some clarification regarding the kind of user data that was compromised. While the customer support provider may have authorized the release of user email addresses, the company claimed that additional information like financial data, name, surname, date of birth, phone number, and postal address over the 18-month period may also have been identified.
According to the statement, the event affected roughly 7,000 customers across the globe. Although the precise form and scope of the data breach are still unknown, instances like these might increase the vulnerability of the cryptocurrency sector to potential regulatory issues in a hostile climate. more so given that the cryptocurrency industry is mostly uncontrolled.
