In a statement issued on its official platform, MTN disclosed that an unknown third party gained unauthorised access to specific segments of its systems. The telecoms giant emphasized that it is actively working to assess the full extent of the breach.
Johannesburg – MTN Group, the continent’s largest telecommunications provider, has launched an investigation into a cybersecurity incident that exposed personal data of some of its customers across certain regions.
Although the breach has raised concerns among users, the Johannesburg-based company reassured the public that its primary infrastructure—including core networks, billing systems, and financial service platforms—remains fully intact and operational. There has been no indication that user accounts or mobile money wallets were compromised during the incident.
In a statement issued on its official platform, MTN disclosed that an unknown third party gained unauthorised access to specific segments of its systems. The telecoms giant emphasized that it is actively working to assess the full extent of the breach.
The company has informed relevant national authorities and is cooperating closely with law enforcement agencies in the affected jurisdictions. Among them are the South African Police Service and the Hawks, a specialised crime-fighting unit engaged in high-level cyber investigations.
“While our investigation continues, we want to assure our stakeholders that the breach has not affected our core services,” MTN stated. “We are fully engaged in resolving the issue and providing support to impacted customers.”
In compliance with regulatory obligations, the group has commenced notifications to affected users. As part of its response strategy, MTN is also urging all customers to enhance their digital safety by taking proactive steps.
Recommended precautions include enabling multi-factor authentication, frequently updating mobile and security apps, avoiding suspicious links in unsolicited messages, and using strong, unique passwords. Customers are also warned against disclosing confidential credentials such as passwords or one-time pins over phone calls, emails, or text messages.
With over 280 million subscribers across 19 countries, MTN is one of Africa’s most influential digital service providers. The company pledged to remain transparent as it continues to gather information and bolster its cybersecurity defenses.
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