Data Leak Hits Over 2.5 Million So-net Users in Japan
Listen to the story
So-net, an internet service run by Sony Group, has confirmed a major data breach. More than 2.58 million members' personal information was leaked.
The company said the leak happened because of unauthorized access to a system. This means someone entered the system without permission.
The affected system belonged to a contractor, a company hired by So-net to do certain work. So-net has not given full details about how the access happened.
Among those affected were about 440,000 users of "Docomo Hikari," an internet service connected to So-net's "plala" platform, specifically its "S course" plan.
So-net has warned its members to stay alert for suspicious messages, calls, or emails. These could be attempts to misuse the leaked information.
This kind of warning is common after a data leak, since cybercriminals sometimes use stolen details to trick people into giving more information or money.
So-net said it is investigating the situation and trying to understand exactly what data was exposed. The company has not confirmed whether financial information, such as credit card numbers, was part of the leak.
The incident adds to growing concerns in Japan about data security at internet and telecom companies. So-net has promised to update users as more information becomes available.
For now, the company is urging affected members to monitor their accounts and avoid responding to unexpected contact asking for personal details.
Vocabulary11 words
- breach
- a situation where private information gets out without permission
- unauthorized access
- entering a computer system without permission
- contractor
- a company hired to do work for another company
- platform
- a system or service that other services connect to
- suspicious
- seeming possibly dangerous or dishonest
- cybercriminal
- a person who uses computers to commit crime
- credit card
- a card used to pay for things and borrow money
- data security
- keeping private information safe
- exposed
- made visible or available to others, often unwanted
- investigate
- to try to find out the facts about something
- monitor
- to watch something carefully over time
📚 Ready to use these words in a real conversation?
Practice live with a real tutor on Preply.
Quiz
Answer key
1. Unauthorized access to a contractor's system 2. About 440,000 3. Watch out for suspicious contact
✅ Nice work on the quiz!
Keep the momentum going — book a live English lesson with a Preply tutor.
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
So-net, an internet service run by Sony Group, has confirmed a major data _____. More than 2.58 million members' personal information was leaked.
The company said the leak happened because of _____ access to a system.
The affected system belonged to a _____, a company hired by So-net to do certain work.
Among those affected were about 440,000 users of "Docomo Hikari," an internet service connected to So-net's "plala" _____.
So-net has warned its members to stay alert for _____ messages, calls, or emails.
This kind of warning is common after a data leak, since _____ sometimes use stolen details to trick people.
The company has not confirmed whether financial information, such as _____ numbers, was part of the leak.
The incident adds to growing concerns in Japan about _____ at internet and telecom companies.
For now, the company is urging affected members to _____ their accounts.
🎓 Enjoyed this story?
Turn today's reading into real speaking practice with a live Preply tutor.