CyberNews researchers have recently uncovered a concerning data leak involving a dataset containing the personal information of more than 24 million customers. The leaked data, believed to be linked to the Honotel hotel chain, includes details such as names, emails, phone numbers, and specifics about guests’ stays like check-in times, number of guests, and payment amounts.

The dataset, suspected to belong to the French hospitality investment and management company Honotel Group, referenced ‘SITE HONOTEL’ and booking platforms like Booking.com, indicating a potential association with Honotel’s booking management system. The leak was identified on October 4, 2024, and addressed promptly by October 7, 2024, following notification to the organization.

The exposure of this data on an unprotected server poses significant risks to both customers and the company. Individuals face potential threats like identity theft and fraud due to their Personally Identifiable Information (PII) being compromised. Moreover, Honotel may encounter penalties under GDPR regulations, with fines of up to 4% of global annual revenue for failing to implement adequate security measures to safeguard PII.

This incident is reminiscent of previous breaches within the hospitality sector, such as the Marriott data breach, which highlighted the vulnerability of customer data. In light of such developments, prioritizing cybersecurity measures has become increasingly critical for companies to protect both customer trust and financial security.

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