McDonald's "Customer Information Leaked Due to Hacking in Korea and Taiwan" (Update)

Not a Ransomware Attack
Seems Like an Attack Started After BTS Menu Launch

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] The hamburger chain Korean McDonald's has been hacked, resulting in the leakage of customers' personal information.

According to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) on the 11th (local time), McDonald's announced in a letter sent to employees that it had been hacked, and that corporate and customer information was leaked in the United States, Korea, Taiwan, and other countries.

In the United States, business information was leaked, while in Korea and Taiwan, customers' phone numbers and addresses were leaked, but the number of affected individuals was not mentioned. McDonald's explained that customers' payment information was not leaked.

WSJ reported that McDonald's notified the authorities in the affected countries about the personal information leak on the same day and plans to inform customers as well.

The damage could spread further. The company expressed concerns about possible attacks on McDonald's locations in South Africa and Russia, urged employees to respond accordingly, and is investigating the possibility that damage has already occurred.

McDonald's explained that the hacking incident occurred a week ago and that it has hired an external firm to inspect the damage and other related matters.

This suggests the possibility that hackers launched the attack around the time McDonald's released 'The BTS Menu,' a collaboration with the idol group BTS, worldwide.

McDonald's stated that this hacking is not a ransomware attack demanding ransom, which has been spreading recently, and that it is not a situation that would disrupt operations.