More than 1.5 million Canadian Crime Stoppers tips leaked, CBC exclusive finds
A massive data breach has exposed the personal information of over 1.5 million Canadians who submitted tips to Crime Stoppers over the last 25 years. The hack, carried out by a group called Internet Yiff Machine, has left many tipsters fearing for their safety and questioning the organization's security promises.
Why it matters
The breach undermines public trust in anonymous reporting systems, which are critical for law enforcement and community safety.
Rivard’s original tip shows he disclosed his full name. He says he trusted the organization’s long-standing promise to protect the identities of all tipsters.
"I was told nothing would come of it; no one would come to me with, you know, I guess, resentment," Rivard said. "I just was hoping it would be that exactly — anonymous."
But the Manitoba man's report — along with information from more than 1.5 million other tips submitted to Canadian Crime Stoppers programs over the last 25 years — was exposed in a massive data breach , an exclusive CBC investigation has found.
The personal information captured in some compromised tips was detailed enough for CBC to contact more than a dozen tipsters — including Rivard — who reacted with shock and fear for their safety.
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