Ticketmaster Data Breach Exposes Multiple Major Tours - Swift, Pearl Jam, P!nk Among Artists Affected
A major data breach at Ticketmaster has exposed personal information of over 440,000 ticket buyers, with hackers claiming access to 193 million barcodes. The breach affects multiple high-profile tours beyond Taylor Swift, including Pearl Jam, Usher, P!nk, Aerosmith, and Bruce Springsteen.
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Photo Credit: Kaleb Nimz
The hacking collective ShinyHunters has demanded ransom payments of up to $8 million, threatening to leak or sell ticket information. They've already released Taylor Swift tickets for upcoming Indianapolis shows and published instructions for creating counterfeit tickets using leaked data.
Affected Tours Include:
- Taylor Swift's Eras Tour
- Usher's "Past Present Future Tour"
- P!nk's "Summer Carnival"
- Aerosmith's "Peace Out Farewell Tour"
- Neil Young & Crazy Horse's "Love Earth Tour"
- Alanis Morissette's "Triple Moon Tour"
- Red Hot Chili Peppers' "Unlimited Love Tour"
- Bruce Springsteen's 2024 tour
- Multiple Cirque du Soleil shows
Ticketmaster's Response:
- Contacting affected users
- Offering identity theft monitoring services
- Implementing SafeTix technology with refreshing barcodes
- Working with authorities to address the breach
The breach could potentially affect millions of Americans, as Ticketmaster sold over 620 million tickets in 2023. Senator Richard Blumenthal has expressed concern about the company's delayed notification to consumers and urged vigilance regarding potential identity theft.
This security incident coincides with an antitrust lawsuit filed against Live Nation and Ticketmaster by the U.S. Justice Department and 28 state Attorneys General.
Gavel in courtroom
Hooded hacker in dark clothing
Hacker suspect arrested with computer money
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