Popular online learning platform Unacademy has been hit by a massive data breach that has exposed the database of its nearly 22 million users, according to American cybersecurity firm Cyble Inc. The security firm further claims that hackers have put the database of these millions of users on sale on the Dark web for almost $2,000.
Dark Web essentially refers to any internet content that cannot be conventionally indexed by search engines like Google or Bing. Owing to their secretive nature, dark web sites have become a breeding ground for hackers. Techpluto cannot independently verify the approximate number of dark web sites currently operating in the internet world. However, a 2019 study conducted by well-known criminology lecturer Dr Michael McGuries claims that number of dark web sites have increased over the years.
According to reports, Unacademy had suffered database breach in January of this year. The stolen database reportedly includes details of employees of several high profile IT and tech companies including Wipro, Infosys, Cognizant and Google.
Unacademy’s Response
According to media reports, Unacademy has confirmed about the data breach to computer help platform Bleeping Computer. The edtech platform has said that information of its 11 million users has been compromised.
But the company claimed that the compromised data pertains to very basic information of its users and no sensitive information regarding financial and payment details have been compromised.
Unacademy is one of the well-funded and high profile Indian edtech startups. It boosts big investors including social media giant Facebook. Facebook along with investment firm General Atlantic spearheaded $ 110 Mn round in Unacademy earlier this year.
In the past, several Indian startups including Ola, Zomato and Ganna.com have been hit by data breach.