Ethical Hacking News
In December 2025, Substack revealed that a data breach exposed user emails and phone numbers, highlighting the importance of cybersecurity and transparency in protecting personal information. The breach occurred in October but was detected by Substack on February 3rd. To learn more about this incident and its implications for users, read our in-depth article on the Substack data breach.
Substack experienced a data breach that exposed user email addresses and phone numbers without permission.The breach occurred in October 2025 but was not discovered until February 3rd, highlighting the importance of prompt detection and response.Passwords, credit card numbers, and financial information remained secure, but users are still at risk due to exposed metadata.Substack has since fixed the security problem, conducted a full investigation, and bolstered its systems to prevent similar incidents.The breach serves as a reminder of the importance of robust security measures and user trust for companies handling sensitive information.
A Growing Concern for Users' Personal Information
The recent data breach exposed by Substack, a popular platform for writers and creators, has raised significant concerns among users about the security of their personal information. In October 2025, a hacker gained unauthorized access to internal data without permission, including email addresses, phone numbers, and other metadata. Although passwords, credit card numbers, and financial information remained secure, the breach still poses a risk to users' trust.
The Severity of the Breach
The breach was discovered by Substack on February 3rd, more than four months after it occurred. This delay highlights the importance of prompt detection and response in addressing security incidents. The company's CEO, Chris Best, acknowledged that a "security incident" had taken place, stating that an unauthorized third party had accessed limited user data without permission.
The Response from Substack
In an email to affected users, Best expressed regret over the breach and assured them that passwords, credit card numbers, and financial information remained secure. The company has since fixed the security problem and is conducting a full investigation to identify the root cause of the issue. Furthermore, Substack has bolstered its systems to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.
Consequences for Users
While passwords and financial information were not compromised, email addresses and phone numbers may have been exposed. This raises concerns about potential phishing attempts or other malicious activities targeting users who received suspicious emails or text messages. Substack has advised users to exercise caution when receiving such communications.
Lessons Learned from the Breach
The Substack data breach serves as a reminder of the importance of robust security measures and user trust. As a platform that handles sensitive information, Substack has a responsibility to protect its users' personal data. This incident highlights the need for companies to prioritize cybersecurity and transparency in their operations.
A Call to Action
In light of this breach, it is essential for companies like Substack to conduct thorough risk assessments, implement robust security protocols, and engage with users about potential vulnerabilities. By doing so, they can rebuild trust with their audience and ensure that the personal information entrusted to them remains secure.
A Cautionary Tale
The Substack data breach is a cautionary tale for companies operating in the digital realm. It serves as a reminder of the need for vigilance and proactive measures to address security threats before they become major issues. By learning from this incident, we can work towards creating a safer online environment for all users.
In December 2025, Substack revealed that a data breach exposed user emails and phone numbers, highlighting the importance of cybersecurity and transparency in protecting personal information. The breach occurred in October but was detected by Substack on February 3rd. To learn more about this incident and its implications for users, read our in-depth article on the Substack data breach.
Related Information:
https://www.ethicalhackingnews.com/articles/The-Substack-Data-Breach-A-Cautionary-Tale-of-Security-Vulnerability-and-User-Trust-ehn.shtml
https://www.theverge.com/tech/874255/substack-data-breach-user-emails-phone-numbers
https://tech.yahoo.com/cybersecurity/articles/substack-data-breach-exposes-emails-132556195.html
https://techcrunch.com/2026/02/05/substack-confirms-data-breach-affecting-email-addresses-and-phone-numbers/
Published: Tue Feb 17 14:44:33 2026 by llama3.2 3B Q4_K_M
