Universal Music Group (UMG), one of the world’s leading music corporations, has reported a data breach that occurred on July 15, 2024, potentially affecting the personal information of 680 residents in the United States. The breach was detected after UMG noticed unauthorized activity in one of its internal applications. In response, the company promptly engaged cybersecurity experts to investigate the incident and assist with remediation efforts. According to a filing with the Maine Attorney General’s Office, the unauthorized access has raised concerns regarding the safety of sensitive personal data.
The investigation revealed that an unauthorized third party had acquired data that potentially included personal information such as names and Social Security numbers. After discovering the breach, UMG enlisted a data-review firm to analyze the exfiltrated information. The results of this analysis were received on August 30, 2024, and guided the company in determining which individuals needed to be notified. Although UMG has confirmed the unauthorized access, it has not found any evidence indicating that the leaked personal information has been misused thus far.
As a precautionary measure for those affected, UMG is offering complimentary 24-month memberships to Experian IdentityWorks, a service that provides credit monitoring and identity theft protection. This gesture reflects the company’s commitment to supporting individuals impacted by the breach, helping them safeguard their personal information during this troubling time. UMG’s proactive approach aims to mitigate any potential risks stemming from the incident and restore trust among its stakeholders.
The filing does not indicate whether any sensitive company information or internal systems were compromised in the breach, leaving some questions unanswered regarding the overall security posture of UMG. Moreover, no ransomware group or other cybercriminal organizations have claimed responsibility for the breach on dark web forums. As UMG navigates this incident, the company continues to work on enhancing its cybersecurity measures to protect sensitive data and prevent future breaches. Cybernews has reached out to UMG for additional information and will provide updates as more details emerge.
