Online fashion retailer Asos (London Stock Exchange: ASC) is investigating a security breach after thousands of customers received an unverified in-app notification claiming hackers had compromised their personal information. The incident caused Asos shares to fall by nearly 12% on the London Stock Exchange, according to reporting by Geo News.
Asos Shares Drop as Personal Data Exposure Looms
- Stock Impact: Asos shares dropped by almost 12% following the distribution of the rogue notification to mobile app users.
- Data Exposure: Basic personal details like names and contact information may have been accessed, though investigations remain ongoing.
- Security Status: Asos stated it does not currently believe payment card information or account passwords were affected.
Fake Notification Directs Asos Users to Telegram
The security alert reached users on Tuesday morning via the official Asos mobile application. Geo News reported that the alert claimed hackers had fully compromised customer data. The notification carried the text, “Dear Asos DPO (data protection officer) and IT, we have fully compromised the Snowflake instance.” Consumer Voice noted that the notification directed recipients to a Telegram messaging service account.
By Tuesday evening, Asos issued an email apology to customers. The company instructed users to ignore the notification and avoid clicking on the external Telegram link, as reported by Consumer Voice. Asos confirmed that its investigation into the cyber incident was ongoing, with both the website and mobile app continuing to operate normally.
Investigation Into Snowflake Cloud Platform Access
The breach notification specifically referenced a Snowflake instance. Geo News explained that Snowflake is a cloud platform utilized to store, process, and analyze business data, including demographic details like clothing sizes and body measurements. Bloomberg reported that the hackers claimed they tricked an Asos employee to steal work account login credentials.
Despite these claims, Bloomberg also reported that Snowflake stated its investigation found no compromise of its actual platform. Asos similarly confirmed that an unauthorized party had access to some personal information, while maintaining that payment card details and account passwords appear unaffected based on current findings.
Asos Share Price Falls Amid Retail Cybersecurity Concerns
Financial markets reacted swiftly to the security alert. The value of Asos shares listed on the London Stock Exchange declined by almost 12% amid customer concerns, according to Geo News. The incident highlights growing scrutiny over retail cybersecurity following similar breaches at UK retailers such as Marks & Spencer, the Co-op, and Harrods.
| Metric | Details |
|---|---|
| Company Affected | Asos (London Stock Exchange: ASC) |
| Share Price Movement | Fell by nearly 12% |
| Exposed Information | Names and contact details (investigation ongoing) |
| Unaudited Assets | Payment card data and passwords (believed uncompromised) |
Consumer Voice advised customers to remain vigilant against potential secondary scams. Criminals frequently exploit high-profile data incidents to launch phishing emails or fraudulent phone calls. Asos has not requested customers to change their account passwords at this stage of the ongoing investigation.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.
