A former contributor to the bz Basel newspaper has been sentenced to four months in prison for illegally accessing and sharing subscriber data, Swiss authorities announced today. The individual, whose name has not been released, exploited a vulnerability in the newspaper’s digital subscription system to obtain information on paying customers.
The case highlights the growing threat of data breaches and the legal consequences for those who compromise user privacy. bz Basel discovered the unauthorized access in late 2023 and instantly launched an inquiry, cooperating with law enforcement.The compromised data included names, addresses, and subscription details, potentially exposing subscribers to phishing scams or identity theft. The sentence serves as a warning to others considering similar actions and underscores the importance of robust data security measures for media organizations.