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Former Block Employee Improperly Downloaded Cash App Customer Data

Block’s Cash App Investing subsidiary is reaching out to roughly 8.2 million customers, current and former, who may have been affected by the data leak.

 & Mark Knapp Contributing Writer

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Block, the service formally known as Square and the parent company of Cash App, has reported a data breach to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) after a former employee downloaded data from Cash App Investing.

As Protocol reports, the employee had access to this information while they worked there, but in this case, the data was accessed after they left the company.

The data gathered by the former employee is said to include the “full name and brokerage account number” of customers using Block’s investing service. Though limited, the data on some customers also included “brokerage portfolio value, brokerage portfolio holdings and/or stock trading activity for one trading day," Block explained in its SEC filing.

More personal details like usernames, passwords, Social Security numbers, bank account information, and Cash App access codes were not included in the leaked data.

Block’s Cash App Investing subsidiary is reaching out to roughly 8.2 million customers, current and former, who may have been affected by the data leak.

Block didn't speculate about what the former employee planned to do with the data. It's working with "a leading forensics firm" on the issue, as well as law enforcement, according to the filing.

About Our Expert

Mark Knapp

Mark Knapp

Contributing Writer

My Experience

I've covered the technology field for a decade, beginning a freelance career in 2017 and working with numerous publications, including PCMag since 2021. I have reviewed hundreds of products with a particular emphasis on computers and the broad field of peripherals, especially audio gear. At PCMag, I contribute audio device reviews of products like headphones and speakers, in addition to reviews of Windows laptops.

The Tech I Use

As a voracious reviewer, I'm cycling through different hardware at almost every corner of my life. My desk sees new speakers, monitors, keyboards, mice, computers, and laptops come across non-stop. I stick with Windows systems, as I have since I was a child, and can't get away from the familiarity with its organization and the many keyboard shortcuts that are now down to muscle-memory and all too essential to my workflows. On mobile, I've stuck with Android for its flexibility, though which phone is in my hand on any given day is a constant question. 

I keep an old pair of Monolith M570 open-back planar magnetic headphones around for focused listening and earbuds in my pocket to listen to podcasts on walks and bike rides. I keep a Logitech Wave Keys keyboard on my desk to enjoy its comfort and ergonomics as I type out thousands of words every week. Underneath my desk is a Lian Li 011 Air Mini case holding an ever-changing PC geared for testing speakers, monitors, gaming peripherals, and whatever else might come across my desk.

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