City police suspend use of Crime Stoppers after hack
Personal data tied to 1.5M tips over 25 years compromised
People who want to provide information on crimes and have concerns for their safety can call the Winnipeg Police Service tip line at 204-986-6178. (MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS FILES)
THE Winnipeg Police Service has suspended its use of Crime Stoppers after a significant data breach.
An activist group hacked and stole a massive trove of data from United States firm Navigate360 and the tip management platform it operates last March, the CBC has reported. Crime Stoppers chapters in Canada and the U.S. use the platform to keep data anonymous.
More than 1.5 million tips submitted to Canadian Crime Stoppers programs over the last 25 years were exposed in the hack, along with unredacted personal information, the public broadcaster reported.
Crime Stoppers chapters collect what are supposed to be anonymous tips from members of the public on criminal activity, which are then provided to law enforcement, with cash rewards offered.
Winnipeg police, in a news release issued Friday, said it recognizes the seriousness of the data breach, “particularly given the critical importance of protecting the anonymity, confidentiality, and safety of individuals who provide information to assist investigations.”
The service said it has been made aware that some data related to Winnipeg was related to the breach.
“As such, the Winnipeg Police Service has suspended its use of Crime Stoppers while we review the information that has become available and assess the additional safeguards and security measures being implemented by Crime Stoppers and its service providers,” the police statement said.
Police said its concern is the safety and security of Winnipeggers who may have been impacted in the breach.
Police advise people who want to provide information on crimes but have concerns for their safety to call the service’s tip line at 204-986-6178. Callers can ask to not provide personal details over the phone and police will accommodate those requests, if feasible.
“We recognize the important role Crime Stoppers has played in supporting community safety and investigations over many years and appreciate the seriousness with which it is approaching this matter,” the police service said.
The Free Press asked Manitoba RCMP earlier this week whether officials at the divisional level were reviewing the data breach, but was directed to the federal RCMP, who have not commented.
The Winnipeg Crime Stoppers board of directors said in a statement it respects the decision by Winnipeg police.
“Crime Stoppers programs across Canada have been affected by this cybersecurity incident,” the statement said.
“We recognize that the consequences extend beyond the organizations involved and it may impact the confidence of individuals who have trusted these programs to provide information safely and anonymously.”
The statement said Crime Stoppers takes “this matter extremely seriously.”