ECONOMY & WORK
MONEY 101
NEWS
PERSONAL FINANCE
NET WORTH
About Us Contact Us Privacy Policy Terms of Use DMCA Opt-out of personalized ads
© Copyright 2023 Market Realist. Market Realist is a registered trademark. All Rights Reserved. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.
MARKETREALIST.COM / NEWS

‘Pay $4.5 Million and Withdraw New Pricing Policy’: Hackers Threaten To Leak Stolen Reddit Data

In February, hackers claimed to have acquired 80 gigabytes of sensitive data during a breach.
PUBLISHED JUN 22, 2023
Cover Image Source: Facebook/Reddit | Pexels/Tima Miroshnichenko
Cover Image Source: Facebook/Reddit | Pexels/Tima Miroshnichenko

Reddit, which is already facing protests by various communities on the popular online platform, is now being targeted by hackers. The BlackCat ransomware gang, also known as ALPHV, is once again demanding a $4.5 million payout for the "deletion of the stolen data and its silence".

In February, hackers had claimed to have acquired 80 gigabytes of sensitive data during a breach. According to CNN Business, in a post on the dark web, reviewed by CNN and an independent cybersecurity expert, the group threatened to leak the data if Reddit failed to comply with their demands.

$4.5 Million Payout and Their Silence

This demand was made back in April, but Reddit didn't respond. The lack of acknowledgment likely spurred the hackers to escalate their actions and put more pressure on the company.

Image Source: Pexels/Brett Jordan
Image Source: Pexels/Brett Jordan

To increase the pressure on Reddit, the hackers issued a second demand. They asked Reddit to retract its controversial new pricing policy that has generated significant backlash from influential users of the platform. The policy involves charging substantial fees for certain third-party apps seeking access to Reddit. By aligning their demands with the protestors' cause, the hackers aim to maximize the harm caused to Reddit's reputation and increase the likelihood of payment.

The February Breach: What Happened?

Reddit CTO Chris Slowe had disclosed details of a security incident in early February. The breach was a result of a sophisticated phishing attack that allowed hackers access to internal documents, code, and some internal business systems. The company had clarified that no user data was compromised during the breach, limiting the potential harm caused.

Image Source: Pexels/Sora Shimazaki
Image Source: Pexels/Sora Shimazaki

In response to the hackers' recent threats, a Reddit spokesperson confirmed that the post made by the BlackCat ransomware gang relates to the February breach. The spokesperson reiterated that no user data was compromised. However, the spokesperson refrained from providing further comment on the matter, leaving many questions unanswered.

The Reddit Protests: A Coincidence or Connected?

Reddit is facing massive protests from thousands of its forums. Over 6,000 forums went dark in a two-day protest against the platform's plan to charge exorbitant fees for certain third-party apps' access. A week later, over 3,500 forums remained offline. While the hackers' ransom note seemingly aligns with the protestors' cause, some experts express skepticism about the hackers' motives, suspecting their primary goal is financial gain rather than supporting the protestors' stance.

Image Source: Pexels/Andri
Image Source: Pexels/Andri

According to Brett Callow, a cybersecurity threat analyst at Emsisoft, it is possible that the hackers do not have a genuine concern for Reddit's pricing policy. Instead, their objective might be to demonstrate the potential harm they can inflict on future victims, thereby increasing the likelihood of payment. Callow's analysis sheds light on the possible ulterior motives behind the hackers' demands and highlights the importance of remaining cautious and skeptical in such situations.

The consequences of leaking the stolen data could be severe. The leaked information could harm Reddit's reputation, erode user trust, and potentially lead to legal consequences. The company will undoubtedly be evaluating its options and considering the potential impact on its user base, advertisers, and overall standing in the digital landscape.

MORE ON MARKET REALIST
The guest had no idea about the item being a Tiffany product and being embedded with a rare gem.
9 hours ago
The host was baffled by the goof up that the contestant made between two words.
10 hours ago
Carey showed that he has got the weapon of sarcasm, and he isn't afraid to use it.
11 hours ago
Whatever the host was expecting, it was far away from what the contestant said on national TV.
12 hours ago
The guest was surprised to learn more about the item he had actually found on the street for free.
14 hours ago
After going through everything on the board, the player left Harvey in hysterics with his answer.
1 day ago
As it so turned out, the weird-looking floor lamp was a piece from a very famous studio.
1 day ago
Most contestants were consistently getting the answers wrong, and Harvey was worried about what was next.
2 days ago
Some claimed that they got the puzzle despite English being their second language.
2 days ago
The letter was written to a columnist in response to a piece taking a swipe at Sinatra.
2 days ago
In a special episode of Celebrity Family Feud, a WWE star decided to go for the one thing Harvey is known for.
2 days ago
Luck was shining for her as she was off to a flying start and won the car with a single card.
2 days ago
Sajak had a witty reply for the contestant who was fanboying over White during the game.
5 days ago
The model said that considering White's age she would also take the offer from Sony.
5 days ago
Sheila won a brand new entertainment unit, complete with an HD plasma TV and mini bar from Howard Miller.
6 days ago
The appraiser disclosed that Yoakum began painting in the 1960s and he created one unique piece of art every single day.
6 days ago
The entrepreneur also managed to get the sharks to taste the vegan alternative meant for pets.
6 days ago
Throughout the game Monica tried to calm her nerves by placing her right hand over her chest.
7 days ago
Harvey later realized that the contestant had a crush on him and they had a moment.
7 days ago
The host had warned the men in advance to not risk their marriage for some points.
Mar 24, 2025