Massive Facebook Leak Hits 533M Users

Facebook, the world’s biggest social media platform, is once again making headlines - but not for the right reasons. Cybersecurity experts have long criticized Facebook for being one of the most unsafe apps when it comes to user privacy and data protection. And now, another massive data leak has put over 533 million users at risk across 106 countries.

What Happened? ​

Security researchers discovered that a Telegram bot (TeleBot) was used to access and leak Facebook users’ personal data. This information was then published for free on a hacking forum - giving anyone access to millions of users’ private details.

Experts confirmed that the leaked data includes:

• Full names
• Dates of birth
• Phone numbers
• Email addresses
• Locations
• Gender
• Job status
• Biographies

In short, enough personal information for hackers and scammers to launch phishing attacks, identity theft, or social engineering campaigns.

Global Impact: Over 533 Million Users Affected ​

The leaked database affects users from 106 countries - including massive numbers from Egypt , the U.S. , and Italy .

Top affected countries include:​

• Egypt: 44,823,547 users
• USA: 32,315,282 users
• Italy: 35,677,323 users
• Saudi Arabia: 28,804,686 users
• Tunisia: 39,526,412 users
• France: 19,848,559 users
• Iraq: 17,116,398 users
• Morocco: 18,939,198 users
• United Kingdom: 11,522,328 users

Total affected accounts: 533,313,128

This leak isn’t just a number - it’s millions of people whose private data is now in the hands of cybercriminals.

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Expert Warnings ​

Alon Gal, CTO of cybersecurity firm Hudson Rock, was one of the first to raise the alarm. He tweeted details of the breach, noting that:

“A database of that size containing private information such as phone numbers of Facebook users would certainly lead to bad actors performing social engineering attacks or hacking attempts.”

He also revealed that 32.3 million victims were from the United States and 11.5 million from the UK.

Facebook’s Response ​

Facebook confirmed the breach but attempted to downplay its seriousness, claiming the data was “old” and collected in 2019.

However, security experts argue that personal data doesn’t expire. Even if leaked years ago, phone numbers, emails, and dates of birth remain highly valuable for hackers. Cybercriminals can use this data for:

• Phishing attacks pretending to be official companies.
• Account takeovers using personal recovery information.
• Pandemic-related scams targeting people’s fears.

Simply put: whether from 2019 or today, your data is still dangerous in the wrong hands.

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Why Old Data Still Matters ​

Think about it - how often do you change your phone number or date of birth? Exactly. These details are almost permanent identifiers. Once leaked, they can be reused endlessly across multiple platforms.

Cybercriminals combine this information with new leaks to build more accurate profiles of their targets. The more they know, the easier it becomes to trick victims.

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How to Check if Your Facebook Data Was Leaked ​

You can check if your information appeared in a known breach by using websites like:

• HaveIBeenPwned.com
• DeHashed.com

Simply enter your email or phone number, and these services will tell you if it’s part of a known data leak.

How to Protect Yourself From Future Data Breaches ​

While you can’t control what Facebook does with your data, you can take smart steps to protect yourself online:

1. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)​

Add an extra security layer so even if someone steals your password, they can’t log in without your code.

2. Change Your Passwords Regularly​

Use unique, complex passwords for every platform - never reuse them!

3. Be Wary of Unknown Messages​

Avoid clicking suspicious links, even if they appear to come from “friends.”

4. Review App Permissions​

Remove unnecessary third-party apps linked to your Facebook account.

5. Use a Password Manager​

It helps you generate strong, unique passwords for each site easily.

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Sample Code: Check if Your Email Appears in Breaches ​

Here’s a simple Python script that checks if your email is found in “Have I Been Pwned” (using their public API).

import requests

def check_breach(email):
    url = f"https://haveibeenpwned.com/api/v3/breachedaccount/{email}"
    headers = {"User-Agent": "DataLeakChecker"}
    try:
        res = requests.get(url, headers=headers)
        if res.status_code == 200:
            print(f"⚠️ {email} has been found in a data breach!")
        elif res.status_code == 404:
            print(f"✅ {email} is safe (no breaches found).")
        else:
            print("Error: Something went wrong.")
    except Exception as e:
        print("Connection error:", e)

# Example usage
check_breach("your_email@example.com")

Tip: Replace your_email@example.com with your actual email to check safely.

What This Means for Users ​

This isn’t just about Facebook - it’s about the bigger picture of online privacy. Every time you share personal data online, you’re taking a small risk.

Facebook’s leak shows how fragile digital privacy really is. Even if you trust a platform, you’re never fully safe unless you take precautions yourself.

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Final Thoughts ​

Facebook may be a global giant, but even giants have cracks. The latest data breach is a wake-up call for users everywhere: your data is valuable - protect it like gold.

Always:

• Enable 2FA
• Review your privacy settings
• Stay updated on security news

Because in today’s world, privacy isn’t guaranteed - it’s earned.