An unsecured cloud server has exposed highly sensitive personal data of practically all 17 million Ecuadoran citizens, including 6.7 million children. The leaked data affects around 20 million people (living or dead) and includes names, phone numbers, financial information, tax records and even government ID numbers called cédulas de identidad.
According to vpnMentor researchers “the leaked database appears to contain information obtained from outside sources,” which “may include Ecuadorian government registries, an automotive association called Aeade, and Biess, an Ecuadorian national bank.” The database could provide cybercriminals with a goldmine of information that can be used to carry out numerous crimes including phishing attacks, cyber scams, identity theft and tax fraud. The data leak also impacts WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, who enjoyed political asylum by Ecuador from 2012 until April of this year.
