MTN Confirms Cybersecurity Breach: Customer Data Exposed in Select Markets

Africa’s largest mobile network operator, MTN Group, has confirmed it experienced a cybersecurity breach that resulted in the unauthorized access of personal data belonging to customers in certain markets. The company disclosed the incident in a statement issued late Thursday, without specifying which of its 16 markets across Africa and the Middle East were impacted.

While MTN reassured the public that its core network, billing systems, and mobile financial services infrastructure remain unaffected, the breach has raised concerns about data privacy and the growing vulnerability of digital infrastructure in the telecoms sector.

“At this stage, we do not have any information to suggest that customers’ accounts and wallets have been directly compromised,” MTN noted.

Immediate Response and Investigations Underway

MTN said it activated its cybersecurity response protocols as soon as the breach was detected. The company notified law enforcement in South Africa, including the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the Hawks, and has begun informing affected customers in accordance with local regulatory requirements.

MTN is also working with relevant regulatory authorities in affected countries to assess the scope and impact of the incident. The company has pledged full transparency as investigations continue.

What MTN Customers Should Do Now

Although core systems remain secure, MTN is advising customers to take proactive steps to protect themselves:

• Place a fraud alert with major credit bureaus

• Regularly update MTN, MoMo, and banking applications

• Use strong, unique passwords and update them frequently

• Be cautious of suspicious emails, calls, or SMS messages

• Never disclose sensitive information like PINs or OTPs

• Enable multifactor authentication wherever possible

MTN emphasized its commitment to customer data protection and pledged to continue enhancing its digital defenses.

“We remain committed to safeguarding the integrity of our systems and the trust placed in us by our customers and stakeholders,” the company said.

Context: Telecoms Face Rising Global Cyber Threats

This incident comes amid heightened global cyber risk in the telecoms sector. Just a week ago, South Korea’s SK Telecom reported a malware breach that compromised sensitive SIM-related data. The cyberattack, which occurred during weekend hours, highlighted the strategic timing attackers use when systems are most vulnerable.

MTN’s breach serves as a reminder of the growing need for robust digital security systems and rapid incident response frameworks, especially for telecom and fintech operators with millions of users.

{Source: Nairametics}

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