Reuters: Coinbase data breach incident related to Indian contractor employee

ChainCatcher news, according to Reuters, Coinbase was aware in January that its contractor TaskUs had employees in India leaking customer data, some of which was related to a security incident that the exchange estimated would cost $400 million.

It is reported that a female TaskUs employee took photos of her computer screen with her phone and sold customer information to hackers in exchange for bribes. After the incident was exposed, over 200 employees were fired. Coinbase has cut ties with the involved employees and other overseas agents, and has strengthened control measures.

It is claimed that the incident was reported to Coinbase in January, but the company did not realize the severity of the situation until it received extortion threats in May.