Data breach of over 7.5 million Boat customers reported on the dark web: Hacker claims

A hacker has claimed to have leaked personal information of over 7.5 million boat customers on the dark web. The data breach includes sensitive details such as names, addresses, contact numbers, email IDs, and customer IDs. The hacker reportedly shared approximately 2GB of data on a forum.

According to Forbes, the hacker, known as ShopifyGUY, breached the data of Boat, an audio products and smartwatch maker, on April 5. The publication verified the breach by speaking to some customers who confirmed purchasing Boat products.

The Times of India Tech team reached out to Boat for a comment, but the company has not responded to queries.

Experts warn that such data breaches have severe consequences beyond the initial loss of personal information. Exposed details can make individuals vulnerable to financial scams and phishing attacks. Identity thieves can also use the stolen information to impersonate victims and carry out fraudulent activities.

Yash Kadakia, founder of Security Brigade, suggests that Boat should notify all users, conduct a thorough investigation into the breach, and enhance their security measures to prevent future incidents.

The hacker is believed to have gained access to the customer database at least a month ago and recently posted the data on a forum. The data is reportedly being sold for a minimal price on certain platforms, making it accessible to scammers for various fraudulent activities.

Boat, founded in 2016 by Aman Gupta and Sameer Mehta, rose to become the second most popular wearable brand in the third quarter of 2023, as per IDC. The company’s reputation and customer trust are now at stake due to this significant data breach.