WestJet data breach affected 1.2 million customers

WestJet says the personal information of 1.2 million of its passengers was stolen in a June data breach.

Earlier this week, the Calgary-based airline issued a notice to customers in the U.S. that some of their data was compromised, including names, contact details and travel documents. Customer rewards like points may also have been taken.

Notably, the airline didn’t specify how many customers were impacted. However, in a filing with Maine’s attorney general, WestJet confirmed that 1.2 million customers were affected, 240 of which were in the northeastern U.S. state.

It’s suspected that a hacking group known as Scattered Spider is behind the WestJet data breach. The hackers are said to consist of teenagers and young adults who seek money by tricking IT employees into giving them access to corporate networks.

Canada’s privacy commissioner has said his office is investigating the WestJet incident. The airline, for its part, says it’s notifying affected customers and cooperating with law enforcement in both Canada and the U.S.

In other news, WestJet is planning to bring free Wi-Fi to more planes through Starlink and Telus. The company also now lets you track your luggage with AirTags.

Image credit: Shutterstock

Via: TechCrunch