The Tech Interactive, a nonprofit family-friendly science and technology center in San Jose, California, recently reported a data breach involving sensitive personal information. The breach was discovered after suspicious activity was noticed on the center’s computer network earlier this year. This led The Tech to launch an investigation into the incident to determine its cause and extent. The investigation revealed that between April 9 and April 13, 2024, an unauthorized party may have accessed and acquired personal data from the center’s systems.
Although The Tech has not disclosed the exact types of personal information exposed, state reporting guidelines indicate that the compromised data could have included various forms of personally identifiable information. This may include names, Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers, medical and health insurance data, and unique biometric data such as fingerprints or retina scans. Other forms of sensitive information, such as account numbers or genetic data, might also have been part of the breach. The investigation is ongoing, but The Tech has taken steps to notify those potentially impacted by the incident.
On September 16, 2024, The Tech began sending data breach notification letters to individuals whose information may have been compromised. The letters provided details about the specific types of sensitive information that were potentially exposed. In addition, The Tech is offering affected individuals complimentary credit monitoring services to help protect against identity theft and fraud. The organization is also continuing to monitor the situation to ensure that further action is taken if needed to mitigate any potential risks for those impacted.
Founded in 1998, The Tech Interactive is a prominent educational institution with a focus on science and technology. It attracts over 250,000 visitors annually and has welcomed more than 10 million people since its opening. With over 130,000 square feet of hands-on exhibits, labs, and activities, The Tech is a popular destination for families, students, and anyone interested in technology and innovation. Despite the recent data breach, The Tech remains committed to providing educational opportunities and experiences to its visitors while ensuring the protection of personal data.
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