- Total Records40,224,397
- Unique Emails18,279,524
- Unique Email Providers105,869
- Unique IP Addresses24,725,013
- Unique Usernames42,735,287
- Unique First Names26,891,934
YouNow Data Breach (July 2017): What Happened and What Was Exposed?
In July 2017, YouNow—a live streaming platform that allowed users to broadcast themselves and interact with their audience—suffered a data breach affecting just over 40 million user accounts. Hackers managed to obtain a substantial cache of user information including first and last names, usernames, IP addresses, email addresses, and links to connected social media profiles. Passwords were not included in the leaked data, as YouNow relied on third-party social media providers for authentication. This breach pulled back the curtain on the vast swath of personal information held by entertainment platforms, and spread concern among millions who had used the service to connect with friends and followers.
What Information Was Exposed in the YouNow Data Breach?
The breach resulted in the exposure of several sensitive user fields. The compromised data included:
- First and last names
- Usernames
- IP addresses
- Email addresses
- Connected social media links
Passwords were not part of this breach due to YouNow's use of social provider authentication, but the leaked details were still significant in terms of personal privacy and potential targeted phishing or identity risks.
How Many Users Were Affected?
According to reports and breach data, a total of 40,224,399 YouNow accounts were affected by this incident. The breach represents one of the more sizable exposures for a streaming/chat-based social platform during that time.
Timeline: When Did the YouNow Breach Occur?
The breach took place in July 2017. Details about the breach began surfacing after that date as data started to circulate in cybercriminal circles, eventually coming to light through security researchers tracking large-scale leaks from popular services.
Was Any Financial Data or Passwords Stolen?
No financial information or passwords were involved in the YouNow breach. The platform used external authentication systems from social networks, so password data was not part of the affected dataset. However, the combination of names, emails, usernames, and social links means that the exposed data could be pieced together to target former and current users in other ways.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the YouNow data breach?
In July 2017, YouNow suffered a data breach that exposed the personal data of over 40 million accounts, including names, usernames, IP addresses, emails, and social profile links. Passwords and financial details were not compromised.
How many users were affected in the YouNow breach?
The breach impacted 40,224,399 user accounts registered with YouNow.
What data was leaked in the July 2017 YouNow breach?
Exposed data included first and last names, usernames, email addresses, IP addresses, and social media profile links.
How did the YouNow breach happen?
The precise details of the initial compromise have not been made public, but attackers accessed and exfiltrated a large user information database from YouNow's platform in July 2017.
How can I check if I'm in the YouNow breach?
You can check if your information was part of the YouNow breach by utilizing the DeHashed search engine.