Nickelodeon reveals data breach, says no sensitive info stolen

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Nickelodeon data breach overview: 

• Who: Nickelodeon has confirmed it suffered a data breach that exposed confidential info, including unreleased shows, scripts and other materials. 
• Why: A rumor originated in late June that Nickelodeon suffered a data breach, after media files purported to be stolen from the children’s TV channel began circulating on social media. 
• Where: Nationwide. 
• What are my options: Norton LifeLock carries many options when it comes to data security.

Nickelodeon has confirmed a rumor that it suffered a data breach exposing confidential info — including unreleased shows, scripts and other materials — but said some of the exposed data appears to be from decades ago. 

The TV channel, which is owned by Paramount, said the data breach is limited to production resources and other data involving intellectual property and did not compromise user or employee information, according to Bleeping Computer. 

Rumors about a data breach reportedly began in late June, at which time 500GB in documents and media files purported to have been stolen from Nickelodeon began circulating around social media. 

A Twitter user going by the handle GhostyTongue first brought the alleged data breach to the public’s attention June 29, at which time the users began disclosing the sensitive info, Infosecurity Magazine reports.

Leaked Nickelodeon files and videos allegedly shared, reposted on Discord channels, private online communities

The alleged data breach was rumored to have begun in January, with Nickelodeon said to have ended the unauthorized access two months later, according to Bleeping Computer, which reports there is “no reliable evidence” to back the rumor. 

Nickelodeon, in a statement to Bleeping Computer, said while an investigation is ongoing, the files that have been leaked do not appear to have been stolen from a recent data breach. 

The leaked Nickelodeon files and videos are allegedly being shared and reposted on Discord channels and private online communities, according to Infosecurity Magazine. 

A class action lawsuit was previously filed against Viacom — which became Paramount Global in 2022 — over claims the company broke the law by allegedly tracking the online activity of its minor Nickelodeon users. 

Viacom attempted to get the class action lawsuit dismissed in 2016, arguing at the time the company’s privacy agreement does not cover information about its users that would not be able to be used as a way to identify them. 

Are you concerned about the Nickelodeon data breach? Let us know in the comments.

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