By Adewunmi Oluwaseun
MTN Group has confirmed a cybersecurity breach that exposed personal data of customers in some regions, sparking fresh concerns over digital safety in Africa’s telecom space.
In a statement released Friday, the telecommunications giant said the incident, which occurred late Thursday, involved unauthorized access by a third party into parts of its systems.
However, MTN was quick to assure the public that its core network, billing platforms, and financial services infrastructure remain untouched and fully operational.
“At this stage, we do not have any information to suggest that customers’ accounts and wallets have been directly compromised,” the company stated, allaying fears of financial theft.
Upon discovering the breach, MTN activated its cybersecurity response protocols and promptly alerted South African law enforcement agencies, including the SAPS and the Hawks.
Regulatory bodies in affected countries have also been notified, and investigations are underway.
The telecom giant is now working closely with authorities and has begun notifying affected customers in accordance with local data protection laws.
Meanwhile, MTN is urging its customers to stay alert. Recommended safety measures include updating apps, using strong passwords, enabling multifactor authentication, and steering clear of suspicious links or unsolicited messages.
“We remain committed to safeguarding the integrity of our systems and the trust placed in us by our customers and other stakeholders,” the statement read.
The company pledged to provide timely updates as the investigation progresses.
