High-stakes standoff between GMO and hacker group escalates with first data leak

GMO has said that it will not comply with the attackers’ request to pay about $1 million, adding that there is no guarantee the group would delete the personal information taken and that the stolen information might still be used for unlawful purposes. | BLOOMBERG

A high-stakes standoff between GMO Internet Group and a hacker group escalated Tuesday after the cyberattackers began leaking stolen client information, threatening to disclose user data from across more than 26,000 servers if their $1 million ransom demand is not met.

The cyberattackers vowed to continue leaking information on GMO account holders one by one until the company agrees to pay.

“We have been setting the deadline at 12 p.m. (noon) but GMO is not engaging in any negotiations,” the hacker group said in an online post. “Therefore, we will disclose the personal information.”

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