Vietnam Airlines is facing a serious crisis after a shocking data breach has put millions of customers' personal details in jeopardy. Just imagine: 23 million customer records, including your name and email address, are now floating around data-trading forums!

On October 14, the national airline acknowledged the breach, which was linked to a global technology partner that manages its online customer service platform. This alarming incident unfolded on October 10, when hackers uploaded sensitive information from several companies on these forums. The leaked records date back to November 2020, leaving many customers vulnerable to identity theft.

The airline confirmed that the compromised data could include not only names and emails but also phone numbers, birthdays, and even Lotusmiles membership numbers. Fortunately, they reassured the public that sensitive information like credit card details, passwords, and travel itineraries remain secure. That’s a relief, right?

In their email, Vietnam Airlines apologized for the breach and explained that they are collaborating with cybersecurity experts, law enforcement, and their technology partner to investigate the incident's scope and implement stronger safeguards. They also advised customers to change their Lotusmiles and associated email passwords immediately and to stay vigilant against phishing scams that may emerge in the aftermath.

This isn’t Vietnam Airlines' first rodeo with data security issues. Back in 2016, hackers breached their website, leaking personal information of 400,000 Lotusmiles members and causing chaos at airports with delays affecting over 100 flights. It’s a reminder for everyone to take personal security seriously—because in today’s digital world, your information is more vulnerable than ever.