Dutch phone giant Odido says millions of customers affected by data breach | TechCrunch

TechCrunch

by Zack Whittaker

February 13, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

Dutch telecom giant Odido has confirmed that millions of its customers have been impacted by a data breach, with hackers gaining unauthorized access to its customer contact system. The company revealed in a statement that the breach exposed sensitive information for over 6.2 million individuals—approximately one-third of the Netherlands' population. The stolen data includes personal details such as names, phone numbers, postal addresses, email accounts, dates of birth, bank account numbers (IBAN), and government-issued ID information like passport or driver’s license numbers. Notably, the breach did not expose call records, location data, billing information, or scans of government IDs. Odido clarified that business customers were unaffected, and its phone, internet, and television services remain operational. The breach highlights the growing trend of cyberattacks targeting telecommunications companies, which often hold vast amounts of sensitive customer data. This incident follows recent hacks on major telecom firms in countries like Singapore, Canada, Norway, the UK, and the US, with some attacks linked to state-sponsored groups such as Salt Typhoon, known for espionage activities. While financial motivations also play a role, these incidents underscore the vulnerability of telecom systems to sophisticated cyber threats. For readers interested in tech and cybersecurity, this story underscores the critical need for stronger data protection measures and highlights the risks associated with storing sensitive customer information. The breach serves as a reminder of the broader challenges facing telecom companies globally, as they increasingly become targets for both financially motivated hackers and state-sponsored actors seeking to exploit personal data for espionage or other malicious purposes. The incident also raises questions about the adequ

Verticals

techstartups

Originally published on TechCrunch on 2/13/2026