- Total Records15,202,750
- Unique Emails2,219,142
- Unique Usernames1,506,368
- Unique First Names1,867,160
- Unique Addresses2,137,015
StarTribune 2019 Data Breach: What Was Exposed and What It Means
In October 2019, StarTribune, Minnesota’s largest news service, suffered a major data breach after unauthorized parties gained access to its user database. This incident resulted in the exposure of sensitive information tied to over 15 million records, making it one of the more significant leaks reported from a US-based media organization in recent years. The compromised data included not just contact details like email addresses and phone numbers, but also personal identifiers such as full birthdates, home and company addresses, and usernames. With such a variety of information exposed, the StarTribune breach raised important concerns for users whose details were stored within their system.
What happened in the StarTribune data breach?
The breach occurred in October 2019 when unauthorized individuals were able to gain access to backend systems at StarTribune. Hackers extracted a database containing detailed user profiles. The intent and methods of the attackers have not been publicly confirmed, but the breadth of the data taken indicates that a significant portion of the publication’s digital user base was included.
When did the StarTribune breach happen?
The breach took place around October 1, 2019. It was during this period that attackers managed to extract data from StarTribune’s infrastructure without immediate detection. The full scope of the incident came to light later, as details emerged about the nature and sheer volume of the records affected.
How many users were impacted by the StarTribune breach?
Approximately 15,285,384 records were exposed in the StarTribune breach. The number is significant given the regional reach of the news outlet, indicating that the data included a mix of direct subscribers, registered users, and possibly other individuals associated with company accounts.
What personal information was leaked?
The attackers gained access to a wide range of sensitive user data, including:
- Email addresses
- Full birthdates
- Street addresses, city, state, ZIP codes, and country
- Company information
- Phone numbers, including area codes
- First and last names
- Usernames
This information can be particularly valuable for malicious uses, such as phishing and targeted social engineering attacks, because of the detailed personal and contact data involved.
StarTribune Breach Timeline
- October 1, 2019: Attackers gained unauthorized access to user data at StarTribune.
- After October 2019: Discovery of the breach and early public reports begin to surface. Efforts to assess the damage and notify potentially impacted users are underway.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the StarTribune data breach?
Unauthorized individuals gained access to StarTribune’s user database in October 2019 and extracted over 15 million records containing sensitive personal data, such as names, emails, addresses, and birthdates.
How many users were affected by the StarTribune data leak?
The StarTribune breach affected around 15,285,384 user records, including subscribers and account holders with detailed personal information in the system.
What data was exposed in the StarTribune breach?
Leaked data included full names, email addresses, usernames, full birthdates, street addresses, city, state, country, ZIP codes, phone numbers, area codes, and company information linked to user profiles.
How can I check if I'm in the StarTribune breach?
You can check if your information was part of the StarTribune breach by utilizing the DeHashed search engine.