Massive Data Breach in El Salvador: Hacker Exposes Personal Information of Millions

The personal information of over 5 million Salvadorans has been compromised in what is deemed the largest breach in the nation's history.

Massive Data Breach Exposes Sensitive Information of Millions in El Salvador

Sensitive information, including full names, birthdays, phone numbers, residential addresses, email addresses, and equivalent to social security numbers known as DUI numbers, has been unlawfully obtained and shared via dark web torrents.

Furthermore, the breach includes millions of high-definition, unwatermarked headshot photos of Salvadorans, escalating concerns over privacy invasion.

This breach encompasses the majority of Salvadoran adults, given the country's total population of approximately 6.6 million, including a substantial diaspora.

The extensive 144GB data leak has been available for download since August, initially offered for a $250 fee. However, the threat actor, dissatisfied with ransom demands, decided to release the information for free.

Spanish-language newspaper La Prensa Gráfica has corroborated the breach, heightening alarm over the compromised data.

Challenges Facing El Salvador: Bukele's Regime, Bitcoin Adoption, and iFinex's Involvement

El Salvador faces new challenges amidst this breach, with the authoritarian regime of President Nayib Bukele under scrutiny. Bukele's tactics, including modifying the constitution to extend presidential term limits and employing extrajudicial imprisonment to tackle gang violence, have drawn criticism.

Moreover, Bukele's unilateral decision to adopt bitcoin as legal tender, announced to an English-speaking audience in Miami before informing Salvadoran citizens, has sparked controversy.

Additionally, the involvement of iFinex and its subsidiaries, such as Bitfinex and Tether, in El Salvador's financial landscape raises questions. iFinex personnel have played a pivotal role in legislative and financial matters, with various bond issuances and programs accepting bitcoin and tether from institutional investors.

Despite measures to address traditional violence, El Salvador grapples with evolving challenges, including cybersecurity breaches and governance controversies.