US Customs and Border Protection Says Traveler Photos and License Plate Images Stolen In Data Breach

An anonymous reader quotes a report from TechCrunch: U.S. Customs and Border Protection has confirmed a data breach has exposed the photos of travelers and vehicles traveling in and out of the United States. The photos were stolen from a subcontractor's network through a 'malicious cyberattack,' a CBP spokesperson told TechCrunch in an email. 'CBP learned that a subcontractor, in violation of CBP policies and without CBP's authorization or knowledge, had transferred copies of license plate images and traveler images collected by CBP to the subcontractor's company network,' said an agency statement. 'Initial information indicates that the subcontractor violated mandatory security and privacy protocols outlined in their contract,' the statement read. he agency first learned of the breach on May 31. When asked, a spokesperson for CBP didn't say how many photos were taken in the breach or if U.S. citizens were affected. The agency also didn't name the subcontractor. The database that the agency maintains includes traveler images, as well as passport and visa photos. Congress has been notified and the CBP said it is 'closely monitoring' CBP-related work by the subcontractor.

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