**Huge Stalkerware Data Breach Exposed: 500,000 Records Leaked by Hacktivists**

In a shocking revelation, more than half a million names, email addresses, and partial credit card information were leaked when a hacktivist targeted a consumer stalkerware developer. The breach, which has sent shockwaves through the cybersecurity community, highlights the vulnerabilities of online platforms and the ease with which hackers can exploit them.

The hacktivists, who went by the alias "wikkid," struck the website of Struktura, a Ukrainian software company allegedly behind multiple phone tracking services such as Geofinder, uMobix, Peekviewer, and others. Speaking to TechCrunch, wikkid claimed that they discovered a "trivial" bug in Struktura's website, which allowed them to scrape the data from the vendor.

The breach resulted in the exposure of 536,000 lines containing customer email addresses, the apps or brands purchased, the amount paid, payment card information (Visa or Mastercard), and the last four digits of the card. However, the dates of payments were not found in the archive.

Verification of the data's authenticity was confirmed by TechCrunch through a password reset on accounts associated with public email addresses, as well as matching each transaction's unique invoice number with the surveillance vendor's checkout pages.

"We could do this because the checkout page allowed us to retrieve the same customer and transaction data from the server without needing a password," the publication explained. Wikkid took pleasure in targeting apps used for spying on people, stating that they had "fun" doing so.

The archive was posted on a popular hacking forum, where wikkid listed the vendor as Ersten Group, described as a UK software development startup. Struktura representatives have yet to make an official statement about the incident.

**What is Stalkerware?**

Consumer spyware, or spouseware, refers to software (mostly mobile apps) that users can purchase and then silently install on mobile devices belonging to their spouses, partners, children, and other people of interest. Developers often advertise them as security apps, primarily for monitoring children and individuals with special needs.

However, these are almost always covers for borderline legal espionage. The Struktura breach highlights the risks associated with using such software, which can be exploited by hackers to gain sensitive information about unsuspecting users.

**Implications of the Breach**

The exposure of 500,000 records raises serious concerns about data protection and security measures in place for online platforms. The ease with which wikkid was able to exploit Struktura's website is a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities that exist in modern cybersecurity systems.

The breach also raises questions about the accountability of companies like Struktura, which allegedly provide software for monitoring individuals without their consent. It remains to be seen how the company will address this incident and ensure the security of its customers' data in the future.