ABS-CBN shuts down online stores over data breach

Media network ABS-CBN temporarily closed its two online stores on Wednesday morning due to a reported data breach of the its online shopping facility.

"Personal information and credit card details of our customers may have been exposed," said Kane Errol Choa, head of ABS-CBN's Integrated Corporate Communications, in a statement.

The websites that were taken down were ABS-CBN Store (store.abs-cbn.com) and the UAAP Store (uaapstore.com).

The data breach involving ABS-CBN was brought to light by Netherlands-based security consultant and researcher Willem de Groot.

Groot claimed that the stolen data were intercepted during the checkout process via a malware, and that the stolen data were sent to a server registered in Irkutsk, Russia.

Choa said the data breach affected 213 customers and that the investigation is still ongoing.

“We have started reaching out to all our affected customers. We also advise our customers not to give out additional personal and financial information to anyone who may be claiming to be an ABS-CBN representative," Choa said.

"We assure our customers that their privacy and the security of their personal data are important to us and we will take measures to prevent this incident from happening again," he added.

Choa also said they have already informed the National Privacy Commission (NPC) about the breach "and [we] will be working closely with them."

Choa, who said the data breach was an isolated incident, advised the public to send an email over at ABS-CBNStore@abs-cbn.com for other questions and concerns.

GMA News Online has also reached out to NPC for comment but it has yet to receive a reply as of posting time.  —KBK, GMA News