TripAdvisor chief writes to members to apologise for data theft

TripAdvisor has discovered that an unauthorised third party has stolen part of its member email list.

TripAdvisor has discovered that an unauthorised third party has stolen part of its member email list. The company has located and closed the security hold but not before the data was lost.

In an email from Steve Kaufer Co-founder and chief executive of TripAdvisor, the company said it was taking the issue very seriously and working with law enforcement to find the culprits.

Kaufer stressed that the data loss would not effect most customers but he did admit that those affected could receive spam emails as a result of the theft.

“The reason we are going directly to you with this news is that we think it’s the right thing to do,” Kaufer said. “As a TripAdvisor member, I would want to know.

“Unfortunately, this sort of data theft is becoming more common across many industries, and we take it extremely seriously.

“I’d also like to reassure you that TripAdvisor does not collect members’ credit card or financial information, and we never sell or rent our member list.”

TripAdvisor has promised to continue working to keep its customers personal information secure and Kaufer has apologised for the breach.