As the use of streaming platforms is becoming increasingly popular in the UK, so are the related cybercrimes. Have you ever heard of someone in the UK losing their sensitive information or personal details online? Well, that is what Data Breach or Data leak is. In 2021, over 17 million users in the UK have been affected by data breaches. Almost all streaming platforms can be hacked, this can lead to the users facing security issues such as data breaches. This is why it is important to choose a reliable streaming platform. You can go to Howtowatchinuk to learn more about streaming platforms.
Losing data online is more dangerous than you think. Your personal information, passwords, and other details can be used in the wrong way, or can even be sold on the dark web, moreover, you can be impersonated by someone else. We know the value of online privacy, therefore for your ease, we have listed down streaming apps that have had data breaches with their users. This article will also explain the consequences of data breaches and how you can help stream securely without fearing data breaches.
What is Data Breach?
When an unauthorized person gets hold of a user’s protected, private and personal data, it is called Data Breach or Data Leak. This is one of the most common security threats these days.
Usually, people try hacking streaming platforms to access their content without having to pay for it. Streaming platforms aren’t secure enough to defend against attacks from hackers. And that is why hackers successfully get access to confidential user data.
3 TV Streaming App Data Breach You Should be Aware Of
- Disney Plus
When the platform was first launched in 2019, it attracted many subscribers in a really short time. Soon after the release, a large number of users from the USA, UK, and other parts of the world lost access to their Disney+ accounts. Reportedly, the accounts were stolen by the hackers and were up for sale for as low as $3. The users were disappointed and complaints were floating all over the internet.
- Netflix
Netflix has come into the limelight for data breaches many times. The first time it happened was in 2021 when an employee from the organization leaked important financial statistics about the company. The employee was later fired.
Later in 2021, personal information was gathered by Netflix from around 5 million users without acquiring legitimate consent. The company faced backlash as this was seen as a breach of trust and a violation of privacy. Netflix even had to pay $188,000 as a penalty for the incident.
Moreover, several times Netflix’s accounts, passwords, and email addresses have been stolen and sold for cheaper prices.
- Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video had once allegedly used users’ viewing habits, and the database with this information was left on the internet openly. Moreover, multiple users faced the issue of having their email addresses sold to a third party.
In October 2021, a hacker got access to sensitive details of the Amazon-owned streaming service, “Twitch”. Several crucial details including the content creator’s profit numbers and Twitch’s source code were leaked.
Effects of Data Breach
Data breaches can be extremely dangerous for individuals, businesses, and governments. Since data breaches of streaming apps leak individual data we will discuss the negative effects of the data breach on individuals.
- Identity theft: Data Breaches can release all sorts of personal data from names and email addresses to phone numbers. If a hacker has access to all this information, your name can be misused in illegal activities.
- Risk to your privacy: Imagine if an unknown has access to your email address, phone number, and other details. That’s scary no? This can lead to other crimes and risks users’ safety.
- Waste of Money: To those who lose their accounts or private information due to data breaches are often required to pay an extra amount to get their accounts and information back.
Prevention from Data Breaches
Do you also wish to stream without fearing data breaches? If yes, we have some tips for you. First and foremost it is advised to avoid clicking any links which pop up while you are using a TV streaming app. Such links are often carriers of malware and can lead to data leaks.
Secondly, for what’s obvious keep a strong password and use verified emails when creating an account on streaming platforms. This can help your account stay secure.
In addition to that, Keep your software and device updated at all times to avoid facing any bugs. Also, avoid opening your accounts on public Wi-Fi. And if you still fear a data breach you can use a good security cloud plan to ensure lesser chances of data leaks.
Wrap Up!
A large number of people in the Uk have faced data breaches at the hands of TV streaming apps. From Netflix to Amazon Prime Video and Disney Plus, all streaming platforms available today have a history of data breaches or attacks from hackers. A data breach can be very dangerous for individuals as well as organisations. It can lead to identity theft, risk of personal security, and loss of money. We listed down the easiest measures you can take to ensure you don’t become a victim of a data breach. But like various other cyberattacks, Data breach is inevitable and can happen to users of any platform from any part of the world.