Massachusetts student pleads guilty to extorting millions from education companies
- Matthew Lane, a Massachusetts college student, is alleged to have hacked into the networks of educational tech companies, accessing private data.
- He reportedly demanded approximately $2.85 million in Bitcoin, threatening to release sensitive information if his demands were not met.
- Lane's actions have raised concerns about the safety of personal data and the increasing prevalence of cybercrime in the educational sector.
In Massachusetts, a 19-year-old college student named Matthew Lane faces serious charges after he was accused of hacking into the computer networks of two educational technology companies. Investigations revealed that he used stolen login credentials to access sensitive information of millions of students and teachers. This breach reportedly involved the personal details of approximately 60 million students and 10 million teachers, including Social Security numbers, names, phone numbers, medical histories, and residential addresses. The allegations suggest that Lane threatened these educational institutions with the release of this sensitive data unless they paid a ransom of nearly $2.85 million in Bitcoin. The U.S. attorney’s office indicated that Lane's actions not only aimed for financial gain but also instilled fear among parents, raising serious concerns about the safety of their children's information. U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley remarked on the severity of the incident, noting the potential harm of such data breaches to families and communities. Furthermore, this was not the only incident Lane is involved in. He is also accused of extorting another telecommunications company for a ransom of $200,000 earlier in the year, again threatening to release customer data if his demands were not met. Law enforcement agencies view this case as indicative of a broader issue of cybercrime targeting personal data from various sectors including education. Matthew Lane now faces multiple charges, including cyber extortion conspiracy, unauthorized access to protected computers, and aggravated identity theft. The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation's Boston Division expressed alarm at the rising trend of such crimes, indicating that Lane’s actions could represent both a significant breach of trust and a threatening precedent for future incidents. As of now, a plea hearing has not been scheduled, adding to the anticipation and concern regarding the outcomes of this high-profile case.