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VTech Breach Exposes Data of Kids, Parents

 & Stephanie Mlot Contributor

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A massive VTech breach earlier this month exposed the personal details of 4.8 million parents and more than 200,000 children.

VTech has temporarily suspended its Learning Lodge app store and a number of related websites "for thorough security assessment and fortification."

The Learning Lodge database was hacked on Nov. 14, though the Hong Kong-based supplier of electronic learning products learned about it via an inquiry from a Canadian journalist on Nov. 23.

The hacked data includes names, email addresses, passwords, and home addresses, and download history of adults who purchased VTech products, as well as the first names, genders, and birthdays of hundreds of thousands of kids.

According to Motherboard, which first reported the breach last week, it's possible to link the children to their parents, exposing families' full identities.

VTech's customer database does not contain credit card information or personal identification data, however.

"Upon discovering the unauthorized access we immediately conducted a thorough investigation," VTech said in a statement, adding that it is looking at "additional ways to strengthen" Learning Lodge security.

"We are committed to protecting our customer information and their privacy, to ensure against any such incidents in the future," the company said.

VTech alerted customers of potential exposure following the hack, and customers are encouraged to follow up with the company via email (vtechkids@vtechkids.com in the U.S.). More details are also available on the VTech FAQ page.

According to the website Have I Been Pwned, the VTech hack is now the fourth largest consumer data breach—behind Adobe, Ashley Madison, and 000webhost.

About Our Expert

Stephanie Mlot

Stephanie Mlot

Contributor

My Experience

  • B.A. in Journalism & Public Relations with minor in Communications Media from Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP)
  • Reporter at The Frederick News-Post (2008-2012)
  • Reporter for PCMag and Geek.com (RIP) (2012-present)

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