By CultureBanx Team
- Xfinity’s data breach has affected nearly 36 million Comcast customers
- Black people are 53% more likely to claim a data breach led to a loss or decrease in business
Comcast’s (CMCSA +0.09%) internet service arm, Xfinity, suffered a major data breach, compromising the personal information of nearly 36 million customers late last year. When it comes to data breaches they are often more problematic for people of color living on fixed or low incomes, therefore mitigating widespread damage from this data breach to these communities is imperative for Xfinity to restore consumer confidence.
Why This Matters: Comcast traced the breach back to a vulnerability in the software provided by Citrix, a cloud computing company. Despite Citrix patching the vulnerability in October, hackers managed to gain unauthorized access to Xfinity’s internal systems between October 16 and 19. The company said they determined on November 16 that information was likely acquired.
Currently the company has more than 32 million broadband customers, according to its most recent earnings report, and a market cap of nearly $174 billion. It’s important for the company to also understand how its data breach continues to impact vulnerable communities to allocate money towards fixing issues stemming from this incident.
Situations like these have a negative impact on Black people who are 53% more likely to claim a data breach led to a loss or decrease in business, according to a report from the Rand Corporation. People of color often fall victim to incorrect or stolen information that in turn can have long-term crippling effects.
In the backdrop of the Xfinity breach, it’s important to understand the broader context of cybercrime and its impact on vulnerable populations. According to a survey by Malwarebytes, Digitunity, and Cybercrime Support Network, demographics play a significant role in cybercrime victimization.
The survey reveals that more Black people, indigenous people, and people of color (BIPOC) fall prey to cyberattacks compared to white people. Furthermore, BIPOC populations face identity theft more often and are harder hit financially by cybercrime. The Xfinity breach is a real-world example of this stark digital divide, with the Black community being disproportionately affected.
Situational Awareness: Xfinity advised all customers, even those unaffected by the breach, to reset their usernames and passwords. This breach serves as a stark reminder of the cyber vulnerabilities that exist in our interconnected world. As we navigate this digital age, it’s essential for corporations, policymakers, and individuals to work together to ensure safe internet access for everyone, regardless of income or their ability to pay.
CBX Vibe: “Protection” Logiq
