Attorney General Maura Healey launched an investigation into a massive data breach and cover-up at rideshare company Uber, following news that the company paid hackers $100,000 to keep quiet about a massive data breach of 57,000 users data.
“Just as a matter of law enforcement, it’s bad enough when you screw up, but the cover-up is always worse,” Healey said during an interview with Boston Public Radio Wednesday. “Here, that’s resulted in the public not knowing that our information has been out there, vulnerable to exploitation, for the last year.”
Healey suggested that former Uber CEO Travis Kalanick, who was in power at the time of the hack, take accountability for the breach. “Boy, isn’t it time for Travis Kalanick to go,” Healey said. “He’s still on the board … [and] this all happened on his watch.”
Healey’s office launched an investigation and reached out to Uber, including requests for documents and information. After filing suit against credit reporting agency Equifax, Healey announced the Data Breach Bill to protect Massachusetts residents against data hacks.
“Uber is just another indication that we need to take steps here in Massachusetts to do what we can to protect consumers against companies that are so careless with our data,” Healey said. “Now, more than ever, we need to pass a law that requires that companies that capture this information encrypt it, protect it, lock it up, so to speak, and if others are going to look to purchase or use that information, they need to get our permission first before they do so.”
To hear Attorney General Healey’s full interview with Boston Public Radio, click on the audio player above.
