In an incident that sent shockwaves through the tech industry, a colossal data breach unfolded within Elon Musk’s Tesla, impacting a staggering 75,735 individuals. The breach, which came to light in May, had its origins in a case of “insider wrongdoing,” tarnishing the reputation of the Austin, Texas-based automotive giant.

Among those affected by this breach were nine residents of Maine, hinting at the wide geographical reach of the incident. The victims, it appears, consisted mainly of current or former employees of Tesla Inc., raising concerns about the security of employee-related records.

News of the breach emerged when a foreign media entity named Handelsblatt notified Tesla on May 10, 2023, asserting its possession of confidential Tesla information. This unsettling revelation prompted Tesla to initiate an investigation, which subsequently unearthed the disconcerting truth. The breach had been orchestrated by two former Tesla employees who blatantly violated the company’s IT security and data protection protocols. Even more alarming was their decision to share the pilfered information with the aforementioned media outlet.

In an Aug. 18 letter directed towards those impacted, Tesla elaborated on the grim situation. The company had taken decisive action against the perpetrators, launching legal proceedings against the two former employees. Although the specific jurisdiction of these lawsuits remained undisclosed, they culminated in the seizure of electronic devices suspected of containing sensitive company data.

Tesla’s response didn’t stop there. Court orders were obtained to prevent the ex-employees from any further utilization, access, or distribution of the stolen data. The consequences of non-compliance with these orders were no less serious, as they could result in criminal penalties. The collaboration with law enforcement and external forensics experts underlined Tesla’s commitment to addressing the breach head-on and ensuring comprehensive damage control.

Despite the gravity of the situation, Tesla’s Data Privacy Officer, Steven Elentukh, remained silent when queried for comment. The breach serves as a stark reminder of the challenges companies face in safeguarding sensitive information in an increasingly interconnected world. Tesla’s actions, from lawsuits to data recovery efforts, underscore the necessity of robust security measures and swift responses to thwart potential breaches.