Hackers have reportedly manipulated social media companies such as Facebook, Apple, and Google to hand over sensitive personal information about their users.

According to Breitbart, the sensitive data were then used to harass and even sexually extort minors.

Four federal law enforcement officials and two industry investigators told Bloomberg that several tech companies, including Facebook, Apple, and Google, had been tricked into handing over sensitive personal data information in response to fraudulent legal requests.

Bloomberg reported that Snapchat, Twitter, and Discord were also among those companies. The data was reportedly used to target specific women and minors. In several cases, it was also used to pressure and blackmail them into creating and sharing sexually explicit content.

The perpetrators were reportedly successful in impersonating law enforcement officers, making it almost impossible for victims to protect themselves from the attacks.

 It is unclear how often data requests have been used to sexually extort minors. Tech firms and law enforcement officials are now reviewing the number of people affected by the hackers.

Alex Stamos, a former chief security officer at Facebook, said he knew that emergency data requests get used for real life-threatening emergencies daily, but it was tragic that it is being abused to sexually exploit children.

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Facebook, Apple, Google Data

Law enforcement officials and investigators said that it seemed that the method has become more prevalent in recent months.

A Google spokesperson noted that in 2021, they uncovered a fraudulent data request from malicious actors acting as legitimate government officials.

The spokesperson added that they quickly identified an individual who appeared to be responsible and notified the law enforcement, Bloomberg reported.

A Discord spokesperson said they validate all emergency requests, while Twitter and Apple declined to comment on the matter. Companies are usually under no legal obligation to provide data as emergency requests typically do not include a court order signed by a judge.

Companies turn over limited data in response to "good faith" requests by law enforcement involving imminent danger.

Hackers' Methods

According to Gizmodo, the incidents seemed to be part of a new cybercrime trend that involves criminals using hacked police email systems to acquire data through fake subpoenas. Hackers can get their hands on a government agency's email account by purchasing access to the dark web.

Many of the fraudulent requests have appeared legitimate to the companies involved as police commonly request subscriber information during law enforcement investigations. Another source noted that hackers sometimes use basic subscriber information to hack into the victims' accounts.

Other instances involve the hacker using the information to befriend the victim and encourage them to share sexually explicit material. If the victim refused, the hackers would frequently threaten them with various forms of online harassment, including swatting and doxing. 

Some cases include the victim allegedly being pressured to carve a cybercriminal's name into their skin and share pictures of the wound. Several perpetrators of these plots are believed to be teenagers, some of whom are based in the United States.

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This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by Mary Webber

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