Telecommunications provider Eastlink has issued a caution to its customers regarding a potential data breach. The company, which serves customers across seven provinces and Bermuda, initially informed some impacted customers via email on Friday just before 5 p.m. AT and is currently in the process of notifying all affected customers.
According to Eastlink, accounts may have been compromised between late Wednesday and early Thursday, with exposed information possibly including customer names, contact details, account numbers, and PINs. The breach affects approximately 75,000 accounts encompassing internet, television, and landline services.
One customer, Caitlyn Horne of Halifax, who terminated her internet service with Eastlink in 2023, confirmed receiving the breach notification. Horne expressed concerns about the extent of information that may have been accessed, especially regarding historical accounts.
In response to the breach, Horne emphasized the importance of transparency from the company and suggested offering credit monitoring services to affected customers. She shared her initial reaction upon receiving the email, expressing a sense of déjà vu due to the frequency of data breaches.
Eastlink, in its email notification, offered apologies and stated that upon discovering the incident on Wednesday, it promptly shut down the affected platforms on its website and mobile app. The company spokesperson, Jill Laing, reassured customers of ongoing communication efforts through various channels to provide the latest updates to all potentially affected individuals.