African Telco Giant MTN Group Discloses Data Breach Exposing Subscribers' Personal Info

Africa's largest mobile network operator, MTN Group Limited, has disclosed a data breach that exposed the personal information of its subscribers. The South African-based multinational telecommunications company has grown to serve over 290 million customers across 18 countries in Africa and the Middle East, with operations spanning voice, data, digital, fintech, and enterprise solutions.

Founded in 1994, MTN Group Limited is a publicly listed company on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, with service revenues exceeding $11 billion. The company has been expanding its reach into areas such as mobile money and digital entertainment, aiming to become Africa's leading digital platform. However, the latest data breach has left many wondering about the security of their personal information.

According to MTN Group Limited, the incident involved unauthorized access to personal information of some customers in certain markets. The company assured stakeholders that its core network, billing systems, and financial services infrastructure remain secure and fully operational.

"MTN Group would like to inform stakeholders that it has experienced a cybersecurity incident that resulted in unauthorised access to personal information of some MTN customers in certain markets," the statement reads. "Our core network, billing systems and financial services infrastructure remain secure and fully operational."

It is alleged that an unknown third-party claimed to have accessed data linked to parts of MTN's systems. At this stage, there is no information to suggest that customers' accounts and wallets have been directly compromised.

MOUNTING A RESPONSE TO THE BREACH

MTN Group Limited has notified the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the Hawks (also known as the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI)) in response to the breach. The company is also committed to informing impacted customers in compliance with local legal and regulatory obligations.

"We urge our customers to stay vigilant by placing fraud alerts, updating their apps, using strong passwords, avoiding suspicious links, and enabling multifactor authentication," said the statement from MTN Group Limited.

No ransomware group has claimed responsibility for the attack at this time. This incident comes on the heels of a data breach reported by Cell C, one of South Africa's biggest telecom providers, in April 2025, following a cyberattack in 2024 that resulted in the theft of over 2 TB of data.

The compromised data includes full names, contact details, ID numbers, banking information, driver’s license numbers, medical records, and passport details. The stolen data was leaked on a dark web leak site by the ransomware group RansomHouse, which claimed to have stolen 2 TB of data during the attack.

With this data breach, it is essential for MTN Group Limited's customers to remain vigilant and take proactive steps to protect their personal information. As security experts remind us, a single lapse in security can lead to devastating consequences, making it crucial to stay informed about the latest threats and best practices in cybersecurity.

Staying Secure in the Digital Age

The recent data breach at MTN Group Limited serves as a reminder of the importance of cybersecurity awareness. With more personal information than ever being stored online, it is imperative that individuals take steps to protect themselves from cyber threats.

"The most effective defense against cyber attacks is through education and awareness," says [security expert]. "By staying informed about the latest security threats and taking proactive measures to protect our personal information, we can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to a data breach."

As the digital landscape continues to evolve, cybersecurity will remain an essential component of our daily lives. By being vigilant and taking steps to protect ourselves from cyber threats, we can ensure that our personal information remains safe and secure.

Stay Informed

If you are concerned about your personal information or suspect that you may have been a victim of the data breach at MTN Group Limited, please contact the company directly for more information. You can also follow security experts on Twitter (@securityaffairs) and Facebook to stay up-to-date with the latest news and advice on cybersecurity.