Coffee Meets Bagel (CMB), a popular dating application in the USA, experienced a week-long access loss to user accounts from August 27th to September 3rd. The platform was targeted by a cyber attack and the culprits have yet to be identified. Important files and data were deleted by the attackers, presumably being their main objective. To regain access, the developers had to extract multiple backup copies from online storage facilities.
A dedicated page containing frequently asked questions (FAQ) was created by the site. In response to one of the questions, the company assured users that security measures would be maximized and a thorough investigation has already been initiated regarding the incident.
The primary concerns still remain unanswered: the entry point for the criminals, whether a ransom will be demanded, and the occurrence of a data leak. The company representatives clarify that user payment data is not stored within the application itself. All financial transactions are carried out using third-party systems for added security.
As a form of compensation, CMB is offering a “comforting package” to affected users. This includes a seven-day extension of all active chats, a complimentary two-week subscription, and 1000 free “beans” – the internal currency of the application used for likes and cancellations.
CMB was founded in 2012 by three Americans with the aim of providing a convenient and safe dating application, particularly for women. This approach attracted sponsors, resulting in a startup capital of $23 million. The platform currently serves 10 million users worldwide, and this cyber attack incident has the potential to significantly impact its reputation.