Millions of Instagram Influencers' data compromised by Mumbai-based company, probe on

Mumbai-based social media influencer marketing ncy Chtrbox failed to secure private data of nearly 5 crores Instagram users, according to TechCrunch. In its statement, Chtrbox says that database for a limited number of influencers was invertently exposed. However, Chtrbox has denied allegations of leaking sensitive personal data.

"This database did t include any sensitive personal data and only contained information available from public domain, or self reported by influencers," Chtrbox said.

"Our database is for internal research use only, we have never sold individual data or our database, and we have never purchased hacked-data resulting from social media platform breaches. Our use of our database is limited to help our team connect with right influencers to support influencers to monetize ir online presence, and help brands create great content," it ded. 

Earlier, Instagram said it is investigating wher Chtrbox improperly stored its user data in violation of its policies amid reports of information of millions of users being available online allegedly in an unsecured database. 

"We are investigating wher a third party improperly stored Instagram data, in violation of our policies. It's also t clear wher phone numbers and emails in Chtrbox's database came from Instagram," Instagram spokesperson said.

RE | Instagram security blunder: Millions of passwords were stored in plain text on servers

Security researcher Anurag Sen discovered database hosted on Amazon Web Services online consisting of data of nearly 5 crores Instagram influencers, celebrities and brand accounts. database was allegedly traced back to Chtrbox.

Apart from public data such as bio, profile picture and number of followers, database reportedly contained users' private contact information like email dress and phone number.

However, Chtxbox termed reports of private data being leaked as "inaccurate" and ackwledged that "a particular database for limited influencers was invertently exposed for approximately 72 hours".

If Chtrbox indeed h (or has) access to private contact information of millions of Instagram users mainly Influencers, celebrities and Brand accounts, question is simple: How did Chtrbox get access to private contact information of millions of Instagram users?

Chelsea Hassler, Vice President & Editorial Director at Ze Group, h this to say:

"I've h a running ory that chtrbox was a giant scam for a while, but i'm super curious if y h backdoor API access y used to scrape through a brand partner."

(With ncy inputs)