Data Leak Fears in Moldova: Darknet Listing Sparks Investigation

Moldova Data Leak Fears: Investigation Underway After Darknet Listing Moldova is facing concerns over a potential data breach after a Telegram channel reported that personal information of hundreds of thousands of citizens who applied for energy compensation is being sold on the darknet. The Ministry of Labor and Social Protection confirmed an investigation is underway but has yet to verify the claims. The channel, 'Genii Carpat', published screenshots of a darknet listing offering access keys to the compensatii.gov.md website. This website was used to process applications for energy compensation during the winter period. The alleged leak includes names, addresses, phone numbers, ID numbers, and bank card details. Minister of Labor and Social Protection Alexei Buzu stated, "First, we don't know if this data was actually published. Second, from the start, we've treated this with utmost seriousness and have applied the highest cybersecurity standards." The Service of Information Technologies and Cybersecurity later denied the claims, calling the report disinformation. The incident raises serious concerns about cybersecurity in Moldova and the handling of sensitive citizen data. The government's response and the ongoing investigation will be crucial in determining the extent of the breach and its impact on citizens.