The hack was aimed at the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS), though the group has insisted that no medical or personal information on women who received treatment had been accessed by hackers. However, details of people who requested information from the website was reportedly compromised.
Police were alerted to the attack on Thursday, while claims later appeared on Twitter suggesting that the culprit had names of women who had undergone terminations and was threatening to release them,
The Metropolitan Police e-Crime Unit arrested a 27 year old man in Metropolitan Police e-Crime Unit, and he is now in custody at a West Midlands Police station.
"The website does store details (names, addresses and phone numbers) of people who have requested information from BPAS via the website, including those making personal inquiries as well as health and education professionals, the media and students." BPAS said in a statement.
"These may have been inquiries relating to contraception, pregnancy, abortion, STI testing and sterilisation. Relevant authorities were informed and appropriate legal action taken to prevent the dissemination of any information obtained from the website. While the confidentiality of women receiving treatment was never in danger, this episode was taken very seriously indeed."
Written by: James Delahunty @ 9 Mar 2012 21:25
