Data breaches have become a defining risk of modern digital life. The Uber breach is one of the most significant in recent memory — and if you've ever had an account with the affected service, your personal data may be circulating among cybercriminals right now.
This guide explains exactly what happened, what data was taken, and how you can check whether your information was exposed — for free, in 30 seconds.
What Happened?
The details of this breach are covered in the FAQ section below, where we answer the most important questions clearly and concisely. The key facts: who was affected, what data was taken, how attackers got in, and what the consequences have been.
Why Does This Still Matter?
Many people assume that because a breach happened years ago, the risk has passed. In reality, stolen data is sold, traded, and reused for years after a breach. Credentials from old breaches are used in credential stuffing attacks — automated attempts to log in to your other accounts using the same email and password combination.
If you reused the same password across multiple sites, one old breach can unlock dozens of your current accounts.
How to Check If You Were Affected
The fastest way is to use our free breach checker. Enter your email address and we'll scan it against known breach databases instantly — no signup required.
If your email appears in a breach, you'll see exactly which breaches affected it and what type of data was exposed. That tells you precisely where to start.
What to Do If You Were Affected
If your data was in this breach — or any breach — take these steps:
- Change the affected password immediately — especially if you reused it anywhere else.
- Enable two-factor authentication on every account that supports it, starting with email and banking.
- Check for suspicious activity on financial accounts if payment data was involved.
- Be alert for phishing — attackers use breach data to craft convincing personalised scam messages.
- Freeze your credit if your Social Security number, passport, or government ID was exposed.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the Uber data breach happen?
The breach occurred in October 2016. Uber discovered it in November 2016 but deliberately concealed it from regulators and the public for over a year. It was finally disclosed in November 2017.
What data was stolen in the Uber breach?
Names, email addresses, and phone numbers of approximately 57 million Uber riders were exposed. Additionally, driver's licence numbers for around 600,000 Uber drivers in the United States were compromised.
How did attackers access Uber's data?
Attackers found Uber engineer credentials stored in a private GitHub repository. Those credentials were used to access an Amazon S3 storage bucket that contained the user database backup.
Did Uber pay the attackers?
Yes. Uber paid the two attackers $100,000 through its bug bounty programme as a cover payment, disguising the ransom as a legitimate security reward. Uber's Chief Security Officer was later convicted of federal obstruction charges for his role in the cover-up.
How do I check if my Uber data was exposed?
Enter your email address in the free checker at Scan My Shadow. If your email appears, be alert for phishing attempts that reference your Uber account or driver details.