Network operator O2 has recently had to issue an apology following a data breach that resulted in the mobile numbers of its users being disclosed on other sites.

An apology has been issued by the mobile network operator O2 after its customers’ mobile numbers were disclosed on sites that they were visiting on their smart phones. Many O2 customers visit a range of sites using their data allowance on their smart phones but do not expect their mobile numbers to then be disclosed to those sites.

However, a technical issue meant that this was exactly what happened, leaving mobile internet network users at risk of being flooded by calls from companies whose websites they had visited over the O2 network. O2 has now apologised for this technical problem, stating that it only usually passed on numbers to what it described as ‘trusted partners’.

The Information Commissioner’s Office has stated that it will be investigating in order to get a better idea of what happened and why this data breach occurred. In a recent blog post O2 stated: “We are in contact with the Information Commissioner’s office, and we will be co-operating fully.”

The company also said that the issue was a temporary one, which occurred when routine maintenance was being carried out. It stated: “Technical changes we implemented as part of routine maintenance had the unintended effect of making it possible in certain circumstances for website owners to see the mobile numbers of those browsing their site.”