5,700 customers affected by data breach – MTN Ghana

Telecommunications giant MTN Ghana has confirmed that approximately 5,700 of its customers may have been affected by a recent cybersecurity incident.

Despite the breach, the company assures the public that its platforms remain fully operational and that the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of its systems continue to be a top priority.

In a statement issued on Monday, MTN Ghana acknowledged the security breach but emphasized that it was actively working to contain the situation.

"Our platforms remain fully operational, and we continue to monitor our environment closely. The confidentiality, integrity, and availability of our systems remain central to how we operate and serve our customers," the statement read.

While the full extent of the breach is still under investigation, early indications suggest that the personal data of around 5,700 customers may have been compromised. MTN has pledged to contact all affected individuals directly.

The company noted that it is collaborating with leading cybersecurity experts to conduct a forensic investigation into the breach. "We are devoting the requisite resources to resolve this matter," MTN said, adding that the investigation is ongoing and being handled in accordance with established security protocols.

MTN Ghana also issued guidance to customers on how to protect themselves from potential fraudulent activities. Customers are advised to place a fraud alert on their credit reports with major credit bureaus, keep MTN, MoMo, and banking apps updated, use strong, unique passwords and change them regularly, remain cautious of unexpected messages and avoid clicking suspicious links, avoid sharing sensitive information like passwords, PINs, and one-time passwords (OTPs) over phone calls, text messages, or emails and activate multifactor authentication on accounts where available.

"We understand that this incident may raise concerns, and we are committed to providing you with the updates and guidance required during this time," MTN assured, reaffirming its commitment to customer privacy and data protection.

Customers who have concerns or require additional information are encouraged to contact MTN’s support team by dialing their toll-free customer care number, 100.

The incident comes at a time when cybersecurity remains a growing concern across industries, highlighting the critical need for continued vigilance and robust security practices to protect sensitive data.