SA motorists fall victim to massive online data leak
Included in the leaked data are the ID numbers, names, contact numbers and passwords of nearly one million people.
The private information of some 934 000 South African motorists have been exposed online, and the company believed to be responsible, Viewfines, says it is now looking into the matter.
The online platform, iAfrikan, revealed this week a database was leaked on the internet, accessible to members of the public.
The database contains the ID numbers, names, contact details and plain text passwords of around 934 000 South Africans.
Also included in the database are the total outstanding traffic fine amounts, as well as home addresses and type of vehicles owned by an individual.
Tefo Mohapi, the owner of iAfrikan, explains they have traced the leak back to Viewfines.co.za - an online platform where motorists can pay traffic fines.
While Mohapi says Viewfines admitted it was the source of the leak, Stephen Birkholtz, listed as the administrator for the online platform, was unwilling to confirm this to Jacaranda FM News.
"I actually do not know, that's why as I say we are busy investigating at the moment," Birkholtz said by phone.
It is believed the information that was leaked is that of Viewfines.co.za's clients, as this is only a fraction of South Africa's total registered motorists.
According to the National Traffic Information System's (eNaTiS) latest available Driver Licence Population report, there are 12 283 777 licenced motorists in the country.
ALSO READ: Data leak 'possibly started in 2015 already'
If the leaked data belongs to the clients of Viewfines.co.za - it could include motorists living in municipalities across the country.
Its website lists municipalities such as Bela Bela, Ekurhuleni, Stellenbosch, Buffalo City, and Sasolburg.
Birkholtz added they have taken precautionary measures, including changing all of the password.
The leak comes only months after South Africa's biggest data leak to date.
A database, entitled 'Masterdeeds', was discovered on the public web in October 2017.
The file, which was exposed for months, contained around 60 million records, including ID numbers and home addresses.