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Data Breach Exposes 8 Million Records, Including Passport Photos

Data Breach Exposes 8 Million Records, Including Passport Photos

First seen 12 Nov 2026, 17:55 UTC • •
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ThreatCluster AI
ThreatCluster •November 12, 2026 at 17:56 UTC
  • •8 million records compromised, including 70,000 passport photos.
  • •No direct identifying information was leaked; passports remain valid.
  • •Emergency measures taken to isolate affected servers and restore services.

A recent cybersecurity breach has compromised 8 million personal data records, including 72,702 passport photos and 26,072 letters of authorization, according to Taiwan's Bureau of Consular Affairs (BOCA). The breach was discovered on November 4, 2026, and affected data from online passport applications made between September 3 and November 2, 2026. The Cyber Security Administration has reported that hackers increasingly utilize artificial intelligence for such attacks. BOCA has assured that passports already issued remain valid and that no direct identifying information, such as names or passport numbers, was leaked. The agency has taken emergency measures to isolate affected servers and restore services. Other organizations, including ezTravel and Bank SinoPac, have also faced separate cybersecurity incidents recently. The Ministry of Digital Affairs is assisting affected companies and urging all organizations to enhance their cybersecurity measures.

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Timeline

2026-11-04
Data breach discovered
BOCA identified unauthorized access affecting passport photos and letters of authorization.
Focustaiwan.Tw
2026-11-12
Public disclosure of breach
BOCA publicly announced the breach, detailing the scope and affected data categories.
Taipeitimes

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Common questions

What specific data was compromised?
The breach involved 72,702 passport photos and 26,072 letters of authorization.
Are passports still valid after this breach?
Yes, passports already issued remain valid and do not require replacement.
What steps are being taken to address the breach?
BOCA has formed a task force to investigate the breach and restore affected services.