Volkswagen Data Breach via Amazon Cloud Exposes 800,000 Electric Vehicles Due to Cariad Error

Jan 4, 2025, 05:41 PM

Volkswagen has faced a significant data breach affecting around 800,000 electric vehicles, exposing sensitive information including real-time location data and contact details of owners. The data, which was accessible unprotected on the internet via an Amazon cloud service, included detailed movement profiles of vehicles from brands such as Audi, Volkswagen, Seat, and Skoda. The breach, attributed to a configuration error by VW's software subsidiary Cariad, allowed access to data that could reveal the daily routines of vehicle owners, including politicians, business executives, and possibly intelligence agents. Volkswagen has stated that no sensitive data such as passwords or payment information was compromised, and the company has taken steps to secure the data following the discovery of the breach.