Conduent data breach already one of largest in U.S. history and keeps getting worse
Mashable
February 23, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
The Conduent data breach has become one of the largest in U.S. history, with over 25 million individuals affected across two states alone. In Texas, approximately half the state's population—15 million people—were impacted, while Oregon reported over 10 million affected individuals. The breach exposed sensitive information, including names, Social Security numbers, medical details, and health insurance data. Conduent, a major vendor for corporations, healthcare providers, and government agencies, handles vast amounts of personal information for clients like Humana, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and other large insurers.
The breach's severity is underscored by the Texas Attorney General's investigation, which called it "likely the largest breach in U.S. history." Ken Paxton emphasized the need to uncover any lapses in security practices that may have contributed to the incident. Conduent has expressed cooperation with regulators, committing to provide necessary information for ongoing investigations. The company plans to send out official notices by mid-April, alerting affected individuals about the breach.
For those impacted, immediate steps like monitoring credit reports and enabling two-factor authentication (2FA) are crucial. Freezing credit can also be a proactive measure to prevent identity theft. Public awareness tools like Have I Been Pwned can help individuals check if their data was compromised. This incident highlights the urgent need for robust cybersecurity measures, especially for companies handling vast amounts of sensitive information. The breach serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with data collection and underscores the importance of regulatory oversight to prevent similar incidents in the future.
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Originally published on Mashable on 2/23/2026