ASOS app users receive apparent hacker extortion messages across UK
Thousands of ASOS app users across the UK have received pop-up messages that appear to be from hackers attempting extortion. The message claims the hackers have "fully compromised the Snowflake instance" and threatens to leak data unless ASOS engages with them. This breach is particularly concerning because hackers gained access to ASOS's app itself, transforming a trusted customer communication channel into a ransom note.
Snowflake is a widely-used cloud data storage service linked to previous major breaches at companies including Ticketmaster and Santander. The public nature of this extortion attempt is highly unusual, as cyber criminals typically conduct ransom negotiations privately. ASOS has not yet responded to requests for comment, and it remains unclear whether the company actually uses Snowflake or what data may have been compromised.
- ASOS app hijacked to broadcast extortion demand
- Hackers claim data breach of Snowflake storage
- Public ransom note represents unusually brazen tactic
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ASOS is a major British online fashion retailer. In recent days, thousands of its mobile app users have received pop-up messages claiming to be from hackers who say they have breached the company's systems.
According to the messages, the attackers claim to have compromised Snowflake, a data storage service used by many large companies. They are threatening to release customer data unless ASOS engages with them. This public display of extortion is unusual, as cyber criminals typically keep such threats private rather than broadcasting them to thousands of users.
If the breach is genuine, customers' personal and payment information could be at serious risk. The incident is particularly concerning because it suggests the attackers may have compromised the app itself, not just ASOS's computer systems, which allowed them to send threats directly to app users. ASOS has not yet confirmed whether the breach is real or specified what customer information might be at risk.
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Originally published by BBC Technology as “ASOS app users receive notifications from hackers in apparent breach”.