Attorney General Eric Holder says that his office is working to find the "perpetrators," as well as anyone using the stolen data. January 29, 2014 9:37 AM PST (Credit: Target) The Target data breach that's believed to have affected as many as 110 million people, is now under scrutiny by the US Department of Justice. Speaking before the Senate Committee on the Judiciary on Wednesday, US Attorney General Eric Holder said that his office is evaluating and enforcing "privacy protections and other safeguards concerning data possessed by government as well as the private sector." More specifically, Holder said that his office is trying to find the people behind the Target data breach and who might be using the stolen information for financial or personal gain. Related stories BlackBerry may have some life left with Pentagon order Verizon buys Intel's TV business to boost Fios Security camera captures decidedly low-tech Target 'hack' Target's data breach: Yes, it gets worse Obama calls for NSA reforms but defends agency "While we generally do not discuss specific matters under investigation, I can confirm the Department is investigating the breach involving the U.S. retailer, Target," Holder said. "And we are committed to working to find not only the perpetrators of these sorts of data breaches - but also any individuals and groups who exploit that data via credit card fraud." Target has been at the center of a massive data breach that saw the credit and debit card numbers of 40 million of its customers stolen between November 27 and December 15. Earlier this month, the company said that as many as 70 million additional customers had their personal information stolen, including names, mailing addresses, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses. Holder didn't say what the government is doing to investigate the breach or whether it's nearing any charges on the alleged hackers.
Attorney General Eric Holder says that his office is working to find the "perpetrators," as well as anyone using the stolen data.
The Target data breach that's believed to have affected as many as 110 million people, is now under scrutiny by the US Department of Justice.
Speaking before the Senate Committee on the Judiciary on Wednesday, US Attorney General Eric Holder said that his office is evaluating and enforcing "privacy protections and other safeguards concerning data possessed by government as well as the private sector." More specifically, Holder said that his office is trying to find the people behind the Target data breach and who might be using the stolen information for financial or personal gain.
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"While we generally do not discuss specific matters under investigation, I can confirm the Department is investigating the breach involving the U.S. retailer, Target," Holder said. "And we are committed to working to find not only the perpetrators of these sorts of data breaches - but also any individuals and groups who exploit that data via credit card fraud."
Target has been at the center of a massive data breach that saw the credit and debit card numbers of 40 million of its customers stolen between November 27 and December 15. Earlier this month, the company said that as many as 70 million additional customers had their personal information stolen, including names, mailing addresses, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses.
Holder didn't say what the government is doing to investigate the breach or whether it's nearing any charges on the alleged hackers.
