Subj : PBS reveals data breach after company info leaked on Discord
To   : All
From : TechnologyDaily
Date : Wed Aug 06 2025 14:15:08

PBS reveals data breach after company info leaked on Discord

Date:
Wed, 06 Aug 2025 13:05:00 +0000

Description:
Almost 4,000 PBS employees and affiliates have their contact info leaked.

FULL STORY
======================================================================PBS 
confirms a data leak affecting almost 4,000 people Someone shared a database 
on Discord, apparently to act "cool" The potential for abuse is there, so 
users should beware 

Iconic US television network PBS has been hacked, and lost valuable contact 
information on its employees and affiliates. 

However, the attack doesnt seem to have been done out of malice, but rather 
curiosity, and the desire to be cool. 

Recently, a database started circulating on Discord servers, allegedly 
containing PBS corporate contact information. The database was not present on 
any dark web forums, data extortion sites, or anything similar, but was being 
shared on a channel PBS Kids, where fans of PBS childrens shows get together 
to chat. "Rebellious curiosity" 

 BleepingComputer investigated the database, and confirmed it contained 
information on almost 4,000 PBS employees and affiliates. 

It came in the form of a JSON file, with each record containing an employee 
name, corporate email, title, timezone, department, location, job function, 
hobbies, and the name of the supervisor. 

PBS confirmed the authenticity of the leak, saying young adults, teenagers, 
and kids, are sharing it more out of a sense of novelty, rebellious 
curiosity, or simply to gain a bit of notoriety within their peer groups." 

"It's less about exploiting the data for financial gain and more about the 
'cool factor' of possessing it, the company said. 

That doesnt mean the archives cant be picked up by actual malicious actors 
and used for devastating phishing attacks. 

PBS seems to be well aware of the potential for abuse, and has reached out to 
affected individuals to warn them about potential attacks, scams, and 
incoming fraud. 

PBS, or Public Broadcasting Service, is a non-profit, public television 
network in the United States. It doesnt produce shows itself, but rather 
distributes content created by member stations and independent producers. 

One of its most famous programs is Sesame Street which, in the meantime, 
migrated to HBO and Max. You might also like Over 16 billion records leaked 
in "unimaginable" major data breach  here's what we know Take a look at our 
guide to the best authenticator app We've rounded up the best password 
managers



======================================================================
Link to news story:
https://www.techradar.com/pro/security/pbs-reveals-data-breach-after-company-i
nfo-leaked-on-discord


--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A49 (Linux/64)
 * Origin: tqwNet Technology News (1337:1/100)

.