Baby got hacked: U.S. data breach more severe than thought

Amelia Havanec • Feb 6, 2018

Feb 6, 2018

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                <h1>Baby got hacked: U.S. data breach more severe than thought</h1>
                <h2><p>Recent digging into the data breach at the White House Office of Personnel Management underlines its severity: About 14 million more Americans were affected than officials initially reported. The Wall Street Journal suggests that the Obama administration initially played word games to make the breach appear smaller than it was.</p></h2>
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               <p>By <a href="/author/amelia-havanec-crosscut-com/">Amelia Havanec</a></p> 
              <p><time datetime="2025-02-04T05:00:00-08:00">Feb 6, 2018</time></p>
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            <p>Recent digging into the data breach at the White House Office of Personnel Management underlines its severity: About 14 million more Americans were affected than officials initially reported. The <a href="http://www.wsj.com/articles/hack-defined-as-two-distinct-breaches-1435158334?ref=avalancheghost.one">Wall Street Journal suggests</a> that the Obama administration initially played word games to make the breach appear smaller than it was. That means about 18 million U.S. government employees -- past, present and potential -- had data stolen, including social security numbers.</p><p>Officials are still pointing fingers at <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/jun/04/us-government-massive-data-breach-employee-records-security-clearances?ref=avalancheghost.one">China</a>. China is less than thrilled, pretty much responding, "wasn't me."</p>
          </article>

Recent digging into the data breach at the White House Office of Personnel Management underlines its severity: About 14 million more Americans were affected than officials initially reported. The Wall Street Journal suggests that the Obama administration initially played word games to make the breach appear smaller than it was. That means about 18 million U.S. government employees -- past, present and potential -- had data stolen, including social security numbers.

Officials are still pointing fingers at China. China is less than thrilled, pretty much responding, "wasn't me."

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By Amelia Havanec

Amelia Havanec is Crosscut's Science and Tech Fellow. She came to Washington from her home state of Connecticut by way of New York, Florida, California and Michigan in pursuit of the perfect pint. Sh