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LAPD data breach exposes personal info of 2,500 officers, report says

The data stolen reportedly included names, emails, dates of birth, partial employee serial numbers and passwords.

Corinne Reichert Senior Editor
Corinne Reichert (she/her) grew up in Sydney, Australia and moved to California in 2019. She holds degrees in law and communications, and currently writes news, analysis and features for CNET across the topics of electric vehicles, broadband networks, mobile devices, big tech, artificial intelligence, home technology and entertainment. In her spare time, she watches soccer games and F1 races, and goes to Disneyland as often as possible.
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Corinne Reichert
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LAPD officers have themselves become crime victims, according to NBCLA.

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The personal information of around 2,500 Los Angeles Police Department officers and 17,500 LAPD applicants has reportedly been stolen in a data breach. Information included names, email addresses, dates of birth, partial employee serial numbers and passwords, NBCLA reported Monday, citing several officials. 

The LAPD confirmed the data breach to CNET Thursday, saying it is working with its city partners to "better understand the extent and impact of this data breach."

"We are also taking steps to ensure the department's data is protected from any further intrusions," the LAPD said. "The employees and individuals who may have been affected by this incident have been notified, and we will continue to update them as we progress through this investigation."

The police department called security "paramount," saying it is committed to protecting the privacy of anyone involved with the agency.

"The department has learned of a data breach that involved some of your information contained within the personnel department's Candidate Applicant Program," NBCLA reported an email message notifying affected officers over the weekend.

The LAPD recommended that affected officers monitor their credit reports and bank accounts, and file a complaint to the Federal Trade Commission, NBCLA said, but it didn't explain how the data breach happened.

First published at 12:23 p.m. PT on July 29.
Updated on Aug. 1 at 1:54 p.m. PT: adds statement from LAPD.

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