B.C.'S privacy watchdog has begun an investigation into the Crime Stoppers society following a major data breach. The breach exposed thousands of personal records, including names, addresses, and other sensitive information. The watchdog is assessing whether Crime Stoppers took proper measures to safeguard data.
The breach was discovered in early September, affecting over 10,000 individuals. Crime Stoppers, a volunteer-based organization, uses a database to track criminal activity. The exposed data includes names, addresses, and in some cases, criminal histories. The watchdog is now reviewing the organization’s data protection practices.
This is not the first data breach involving Crime Stoppers. A similar incident occurred in 2021, leading to a public inquiry. At that time, the organization was criticized for its handling of personal information. The current investigation follows growing concerns about data security in volunteer-run groups. The watchdog aims to determine if new safeguards are needed.
