A cyber security expert has uncovered a major data leak affecting Hollywood stars including Angelina Jolie, Robert De Niro, and many others. Phone numbers and private email addresses were made publicly accessible online due to human error involving three exposed databases linked to New York's annual Tribeca Film Festival, which was founded by De Niro.
Massive Data Leak Exposes Celebrity Contacts
Jeremiah Fowler, the security expert who discovered the breach, described it as the biggest he has ever seen. 'There were many, many household names in the records who could have been targeted with malware. There were names, phone numbers and email addresses,' he told The Sun. Other celebrities whose information was reportedly leaked include Martin Scorsese, George Lucas, Neil Patrick Harris, Rami Malek, Sharon Stone, Michael Douglas, and British filmmaker Danny Boyle.
Security Expert Sounds Alarm
Fowler noted the unique nature of the leak due to the high-profile individuals involved. 'It's really unique because these individuals are so guarded and they protect their personal privacy, their contacts, their phone numbers,' he said. He contacted the festival shortly after discovering the breach, and the database was removed from public access. A source later told The Sun that the 'vast majority' of contact details were for managers and agents rather than the celebrities themselves.
Festival Responds to Breach
Fowler later received an email from a legal executive who said they were 'actively investigating this issue.' 'They responded pretty quickly, so it was obvious they knew what it was and that it shouldn't have been there,' he said. Metro has contacted representatives for Angelina Jolie, Robert De Niro, George Lucas, Martin Scorsese, Sharon Stone, Rami Malek, Danny Boyle, Neil Patrick Harris, and Michael Douglas for comment.
