'What do they have their hands on?' Customer reacts to Eastlink breach

1 week ago 94

Telecommunications provider Eastlink is warning some customers of a potential data breach that happened in recent days, but it does not believe that credit card or banking information was exposed. The company operates in seven Canadian provinces and Bermuda.

Company does not believe credit card or banking information was exposed

Richard Woodbury · CBC News

· Posted: Aug 29, 2026 9:51 AM EDT | Last Updated: 5 minutes ago

Listen to this article

Estimated 2 minutes

The audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results.

A sign for telecommunications provider Eastlink is shown.

Telecommunications provider Eastlink is warning customers of a potential data breach, though it does not believe credit card or banking information was exposed.

The company, which operates in seven provinces and Bermuda, sent an email to affected customers Friday just before 5 p.m. AT.

Eastlink said accounts may have been compromised between late Wednesday and early Thursday morning. Exposed information may include customer names, contact details, account numbers and PINs.

It's unclear how many people are affected.

Caitlyn Horne of Halifax, who ended her internet service with Eastlink in 2023, said she received the breach notification.

"If they're even reaching back to people that have had historical accounts, that's a lot of information that someone may potentially have had access to," Horne said.

'Oh no, not again'

Horne said she hopes the company is more transparent about the situation and offers credit monitoring for affected customers.

She said when she got the email, her initial thought was, "Oh no, not again," given how frequently data breaches occur.

"It's mostly like, 'Oh God, what do they have their hands on? Like, what don't I know right now?'" Horne said.

In its email, Eastlink apologized and stated that after learning of the incident Wednesday, it shut down affected platforms on its website and mobile app.

Company spokesperson Jill Laing said in an email to CBC News on Saturday that Eastlink is gathering details and that no one could speak about the matter until Monday.

MORE TOP STORIES