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Japan’s largest automaker is facing serious embarrassment
Published in: May 12, 2023: 04:05 PM GST
Last updated: May 12, 2023: 04:33 PM GST
A decade-long data breach on Toyota’s online service has put some information on more than two million vehicles at risk, the Japanese automaker said Friday.
Toyota spokesman Hideaki Homma said Toyota’s problem with its cloud-based Connected service only concerned vehicles in Japan.
Connected reminds owners to get maintenance checks, links to entertainment, and emergency assistance.
They can also seek help after a collision or the location of a stolen vehicle.
No issues arising from the breach have been reported so far.
While there is no evidence that any information was leaked, copied, or misused due to the breach, the data at risk includes: the vehicle identification number, which is separate from the license plate, the location of the vehicle, what time it was there, and a video the vehicle took. as “Driving Recorder” in Japan.
Such information cannot be used to identify individual owners, according to Toyota Motor Co, which makes the Prius hybrid and luxury Lexus models.
The vehicles of about 2.15 million people were affected, including those who used network services called G-Link, G-Book and Connected.
The Connected service in Japan is operated by a subsidiary.
Until recently, Homma said, no one noticed that outside access to such information should have stopped.
“We are very sorry for causing such disruption to all people,” he added.
The problem is a major embarrassment for Japan’s largest automaker, which has built a reputation for quality and attention to detail.
The world’s auto manufacturers are competing to differentiate their model offerings with the latest technology to entice buyers.
Homma stated that the problem with the system has been fixed, explaining that it is safe to continue driving Connected Service vehicles as normal, and that there is no need to bring them in for repair.
