Several Bykea users reported receiving inappropriate notifications on Tuesday (today), raising widespread concerns about a potential hack of the popular ride-hailing service.
The incident triggered a wave of apprehension and resentment on social media, with Bykea customers posting screenshots of the offensive messages and demanding an explanation from the company.
Shortly after the crude notifications started to flurry around online, Bykea released a statement apologising for the messages. “We can confirm that this was a third party communication tool which got compromised,” Bykea said.
The statement added the mobility app has been restored and is fully functional and safe to use.
Digital Rights Monitor (DRM) reached out to a Bykea official who refuted the reports of a hack. They claimed user data is “safe” at the company.
The breach, however, also raises concerns about the measures and mechanisms mobility apps put in place to prevent cybersecurity incidents. The 2016 data breach at Uber is a major example demonstrating the alarming level of risks to consumers’ personal information in the absence of a concrete cybersecurity programme.
