BREAKING: Hackers have breached the University of Pennsylvania and are threatening to leak sensitive data following a wave of fraudulent emails sent to alumni, students, and staff. The alarming incident unfolded on the morning of July 28, 2023, when recipients received emails claiming to represent the university’s Graduate School of Education (GSE).
The hackers sent messages from various Penn-affiliated email accounts, asserting, “We have terrible security practices and are completely unmeritocratic.” The email further stated, “We love breaking federal rules like FERPA (all your data will be leaked),” raising urgent concerns about the security of personal information for thousands associated with the university.
Officials at the university are responding swiftly. Penn spokesperson Ron Ozio confirmed the situation, stating that the school’s incident response team is “actively addressing” the breach. Ozio emphasized, “A fraudulent email has been circulated that appears to come from the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education. This is obviously a fake, and nothing in the highly offensive, hurtful message reflects the mission or actions of Penn or of Penn GSE.”
This breach comes at a sensitive time, as it appears to target alumni donations. The hackers directly challenged alumni, saying, “Please stop giving us money.” Their motivation may be tied to the university’s recent decision to reject a proposal from the White House aimed at aligning academic policies with the Trump administration’s agenda. This could indicate a broader political context surrounding the attack.
The White House’s proposal, known as the “Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education,” demands universities abolish affirmative action in hiring and admissions, among other politically charged stipulations. J. Larry Jameson, President of the University of Pennsylvania, publicly rebuffed the offer, stating that it conflicts with the university’s commitment to viewpoint diversity and freedom of expression.
As the situation develops, affected individuals are encouraged to remain vigilant and monitor their email accounts for suspicious activity. The university continues to investigate the breach and assess the potential impact on its community.
Stay tuned for further updates as more information becomes available. This situation is evolving rapidly, and the implications for the university community are significant.