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GameStop Claims Data Leak Was Just a Test and 'Not Actual Customer Data'

But it turns out some of that data belongs to real people.

 & Matthew Humphries Former Senior Editor

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GameStop's website has been showing visitors the personal information of other customers, but GameStop claims it was just a test.

As VGC reports, on Saturday some customers using GameStop's website were able to see the personal information of other customers simply by refreshing their order page. Multiple page refreshes kept changing the customer data that was visible. The data included names, addresses, phone numbers, order history, and at least partial payment card details.

GameStop's customer care team responded to the apparent security breach stating, "the addresses and names appearing in customers’ accounts were part of a test and “not actual customer data." The problem was also fixed on the same day, but the claim of it being a test has been met with suspicion.

Andy Robinson, owner and editor at VGC, has been shown "dozens of images of emails, addresses and phone numbers that clearly belong to real people. Credit card numbers are partially redacted." Some GameStop customers have apparently received phone calls after the customer data was shared with others.

With that being the case, if GameStop was running a test this suggests they were doing so using the data of real people. GameStop has yet to confirm or deny if this was the case, but it seems likely otherwise why was the test data matching real names and addresses?

About Our Expert

Matthew Humphries

Matthew Humphries

Former Senior Editor

My Experience

I started working at PCMag in November 2016, covering all areas of technology and video game news. Before that I spent nearly 15 years working at Geek.com as a writer and editor. I also spent the first six years after leaving university as a professional game designer working with Disney, Games Workshop, 20th Century Fox, and Vivendi.

I hold two degrees: a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science and a Master's degree in Games Development. My first book, Make Your Own Pixel Art, is available from all good book shops.

My Areas of Expertise

  • PC components and system building
  • Raspberry Pi
  • Software development
  • Storage technology
  • Video games and gaming hardware

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