News

Uber Blames Lapsus$ Hacking Collective For Data Breach

The hack targeted a Slack channel using a password purchased from the dark web, though the company claims no client data was compromised.

Published

4 years ago

September 20, 2022

Nour Nasir

uber blames lapsus$ hacking collective for data breach

Lapsus$ is a collective of hackers famous for ransomware attacks and data theft from huge companies such as Microsoft, Vodafone and Nvidia. Now, the group has successfully targeted ride-sharing giant Uber.

Uber’s systems were breached sometime last week, with employees discovering the hack on Thursday, 15th September. The infiltrator announced their actions on the company’s internal Slack account with a message that read: “I announce I am a hacker and Uber has suffered a data breach.”

Uber claims the hacker is associated with the Lapsus$ group. If that’s true, it means they could also be responsible for a massive data breach of Rockstar Games and its upcoming Grand Theft Auto VI (GTA 6) release, as the attacker announced that they were, in fact, the same person.

As far as Uber is concerned, no customer data was compromised during the hack, with the breach targeting invoice management tools and content from Slack channels.

In a new update about the fiasco, Uber believes the attack happened after the hacker purchased a corporate password on the dark web from a personal device that was infected with malware. Even though 2-factor authentication was activated, the contractor inexplicably allowed a login approval request, which granted entry to the account.

Since the data breach, the company has forced all users to change their login credentials and is adamant that any public-facing financial data or personal information remains secure.

Also Read: DDoS Attacks Are A Growing Threat In Gaming

“First and foremost, we’ve not seen that the attacker accessed the production (i.e. public-facing) systems that power our apps; any user accounts; or the databases we use to store sensitive user information, like credit card numbers, user bank account info, or trip history. We also encrypt credit card information and personal health data, offering a further layer of protection,” says Uber in an official statement.

To add to the embarrassment, Uber admits that the hacker accessed the company’s dashboard portal at HackerOne, where researchers report security bugs and vulnerabilities. In addition to law enforcement, Uber is now working alongside leading digital forensics teams to get to the bottom of the breach.

Related Topics:Cybersecurity Hacking Uber

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News

Syria Just Got Its First Super App Featuring Built-In Digital Payments

Built by UAE-based Syrian founders with the Ministry of Tourism’s backing, My Syria lands as visitor numbers more than double.

Published

5 days ago

August 1, 2026

Nour Nasir

syria just got its first super app featuring built-in digital payments

For most of the past decade, paying for anything in Syria with an international card was effectively impossible. Sanctions, a collapsed banking sector, and years of isolation left the country running on cash. That is what makes the launch of My Syria — the country’s first super app — more than a routine product announcement.

Developed by 121 Living, a company founded by four UAE-based Syrian entrepreneurs — Rami Kaiem, Feras Kaiem, Waseem Qudmani, and Kinan Madi — the app launched in Damascus on July 30 under the patronage of Minister of Tourism Mazen Al-Salhani. It bundles hotels, restaurants, transport, attractions, food delivery, and other lifestyle services into a single platform, currently offering eight services with plans to expand to more than 40 verified tourism and hospitality providers across the country.

Although the app already sounds enticing, the headline feature is its built-in payments. My Syria is the first platform in Syria to support cross-border digital payments through Apple Pay, Google Pay, Visa, Mastercard, and American Express — familiar tools for international visitors, and a route into the digital economy for local businesses that have long operated outside it.

my syria super app launch event

The launch rides on a sharp rebound for the troubled country. Syria’s tourism sector recorded 3.52 million visitor arrivals in the first half of 2026, a 111 percent increase over the 1.67 million during the same period in 2025 — a mix of returning expatriates, regional visitors, and international tourists.

Also Read: This UAE Platform Wants To Replace Fashion Photo Shoots With AI

The Ministry of Tourism, which supported and supervised the app’s development, frames the launch as proof of concept for a wider strategy. “Digital transformation is one of the Ministry’s strategic priorities because it enables us to build a more competitive, connected and investment-ready tourism sector,” Al-Salhani said, inviting technology companies “globally, regionally and locally” to explore opportunities across the wider economy.

For 121 Living, this is phase one, with additional services and expanded geographic coverage planned. Whether a super app can flourish in a market still rebuilding its infrastructure is an open question, but for the first time in years, a visitor to Damascus can pay for dinner with their phone.