DFA email data reportedly being sold online; probe underway

MANILA – An investigation is underway over the reported data breach involving the Department of Foreign Affairs' (DFA) email.

DFA Spokesperson Ma. Teresita Daza on Wednesday said the agency received reports that its email data was being sold online.

"The DFA has received reports of alleged email data being sold online. The Department's Information and Communications Technology Division is investigating the matter," she said in a text message.

The alleged data breach was first reported by a group of cybersecurity enthusiasts under the handle "Deep Web Konek".

Its report posted on X said sensitive email data from the DFA is "now being sold online" by threat actor it identified as "chengyi".

The group, citing its initial findings, said the sample provided by the threat actor "contains sensitive documents and is marked as confidential documents". (PNA)