The Algeria Telecom data breach has exposed personal and contact information belonging to thousands of customers of Algérie Télécom, the state-owned telecommunications carrier of Algeria. A hacker has listed the database for sale on a dark web forum for just $450, providing verified samples to prove authenticity. The leaked information reportedly includes full names, identification numbers, phone numbers, addresses, and internal account notes. Cybersecurity analysts have classified this as a high-severity, national-level data breach that poses an immediate risk of widespread SIM-swap and financial fraud attacks across the country.
Background of the Algeria Telecom Data Breach
Algeria Telecom (Algérie Télécom) operates as the primary fixed-line and internet service provider in Algeria, serving millions of residential, corporate, and government clients. The leak first appeared on a dark web marketplace where the attacker, posting in both English and French, offered the data at a low “flash sale” price to encourage quick and widespread distribution. This low-cost tactic ensures that the dataset will rapidly spread among criminal groups, multiplying the potential damage within days of its release.
Preliminary analysis suggests that the data may have been extracted through a poorly secured internal database or a vulnerable API endpoint. The dataset contains both customer information and internal notes, which significantly elevate its intelligence value for criminal and espionage activities.
Scope of the Exposed Data
Samples reviewed by cybersecurity researchers indicate that the leaked database contains the following sensitive fields:
- Full PII: Names, national ID numbers (ID, SID, UUID).
- Contact information: Phone numbers, street addresses, city, country, and postal codes.
- Internal data: Employee notes, service remarks, and customer status details such as “VIP client” or “government account.”
The inclusion of internal account notes makes this dataset uniquely dangerous. Notes often include sensitive metadata about customers, such as their occupation, complaint history, or whether they are linked to government or security agencies. This type of information could be weaponized for targeted fraud, social engineering, or intelligence-gathering operations.
Immediate Threats and Implications
Experts have identified three major threat vectors stemming from this breach: SIM-swap attacks, vishing (voice phishing), and national-level profiling. Each represents a serious risk to Algerian citizens and institutions.
SIM-Swap Fraud
The most critical and immediate threat is the potential for mass SIM-swap fraud. Attackers can now impersonate Algeria Telecom customers using their real personal data to pass identity verification checks. By calling customer service and posing as the victim, they can request that the victim’s phone number be transferred to a new SIM card controlled by the attacker. Once completed, this allows full control of the victim’s phone number, enabling the attacker to intercept calls, text messages, and two-factor authentication (2FA) codes used to access banking and social media accounts.
Once a SIM swap occurs, the victim effectively loses access to their digital identity. Attackers can reset passwords, bypass multi-factor authentication, and drain financial accounts in minutes. This type of fraud has already caused large-scale financial losses in other countries, but Algeria’s lack of strong identity verification for telecom operations makes it particularly vulnerable.
Targeted Vishing and Social Engineering
With verified names, phone numbers, and addresses, attackers can conduct highly convincing vishing campaigns by posing as Algeria Telecom representatives or bank employees. The combination of accurate personal information and local language familiarity increases the likelihood that victims will fall for these scams. A common script begins with “Bonjour [Victim Name], this is Algérie Télécom security calling about an issue with your internet account at [Real Address].” The attacker then asks the victim to confirm details or provide banking information to “resolve the issue.” These calls often appear legitimate due to the amount of real information used in the conversation.
National and Intelligence Risks
Because Algeria Telecom is a national carrier, its customer base includes government officials, journalists, and law enforcement personnel. Analysts warn that the leaked database could be exploited by foreign intelligence agencies to profile high-value individuals or identify political targets. The internal notes field, in particular, may contain sensitive details about a person’s role or background that can be cross-referenced with other breaches to create detailed intelligence profiles.
Regulatory and Legal Violations
This incident constitutes a serious violation of Algeria’s Law No. 18-07 on the protection of personal data. Under this law, Algeria Telecom is legally required to notify both the Autorité Nationale de Protection des Données Personnelles (ANDP) and the Autorité de Régulation de la Poste et des Communications Électroniques (ARPCE). Failure to report or take corrective action could result in legal penalties, fines, and loss of public trust. The breach also raises concerns about Algeria’s broader national cybersecurity infrastructure, particularly in how state-owned entities manage and secure sensitive data.
Recommended Actions for Algeria Telecom
- Immediately engage a qualified Digital Forensics and Incident Response (DFIR) team to validate the breach, determine the attack vector, and assess ongoing risk.
- Notify regulators (ANDP and ARPCE) within the legally required timeframe under Law No. 18-07.
- Temporarily suspend remote SIM-swap procedures and require in-person verification with valid ID for all number transfers for at least 30 days.
- Issue public notifications to all customers explaining the breach, warning of active fraud risks, and advising on how to secure their accounts.
- Review and strengthen customer verification protocols to prevent future impersonation attacks.
Recommended Actions for Affected Customers
- Secure your SIM immediately: Contact Algeria Telecom to add a unique “Port-Out PIN” or verbal password to your account, preventing unauthorized SIM swaps.
- Be alert for phishing and vishing attempts: Treat all unsolicited calls, texts, or emails claiming to be from Algeria Telecom or your bank as potential scams.
- Monitor bank and mobile accounts: Check for unusual activity, unauthorized transactions, or account resets that could indicate compromise.
- Use strong authentication: Enable app-based or hardware-based two-factor authentication (2FA) instead of SMS codes whenever possible.
- Report suspicious activity: If you suspect you have been targeted, contact your bank and Algeria Telecom immediately to freeze activity and restore control.
National Cybersecurity Implications
The Algeria Telecom data breach underscores how attacks on telecommunications infrastructure can quickly escalate into national security threats. Telecom providers maintain some of the most sensitive customer data available, including the exact identifiers used to confirm personal identity. Once leaked, this information can no longer be revoked or reset. Cybersecurity experts emphasize that national carriers must implement zero-trust verification systems and continuously monitor employee access to prevent insider or third-party exploitation.
This breach also highlights the global spread of low-cost dark web data sales. For only a few hundred dollars, threat actors can now purchase verified customer data that allows them to carry out complex fraud schemes at scale. Algeria’s incident serves as a warning for other state-owned enterprises across Africa and the Middle East to improve data encryption, monitoring, and breach disclosure processes.
Ongoing Investigation
As of now, Algeria Telecom has not issued a public statement regarding the breach. However, cybersecurity monitoring groups continue to track the leaked dataset and its distribution across dark web channels. Given the public availability and low selling price, experts believe multiple criminal groups have already obtained the data. The risk of SIM-swap and vishing attacks is expected to remain high for months as the information circulates among fraud rings and identity theft networks.
The Algeria Telecom data breach demonstrates how sensitive telecommunications data can be transformed into a tool for both criminal and geopolitical exploitation. Without rapid intervention and improved verification procedures, thousands of Algerian citizens remain vulnerable to fraud and identity theft in the aftermath of this leak.
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