Kering SA, the French luxury conglomerate that owns iconic brands such as Gucci, Saint Laurent, and Balenciaga, has confirmed it suffered a data breach earlier this year. The company revealed that the attack was discovered in June and involved unauthorized access to certain customer data. However, it assured that no sensitive financial information, such as bank account numbers or government identification details, was affected.
What Happened in the Breach
According to Kering, the breach occurred when hackers temporarily gained access to its systems and extracted limited customer information from some of its luxury Houses. Details such as email addresses and purchase histories were reportedly exposed, raising concerns that high-spending clients could be targeted by follow-up scams.
The cybercriminal group behind the attack, known as Shiny Hunters, has claimed responsibility. The hackers say they obtained data linked to 7.4 million email addresses and even shared a small sample with media outlets to prove their claims. They also claimed to have approached the company in June, demanding ransom in Bitcoin.
Kering’s Response
In an official statement, Kering made it clear that it has not engaged in negotiations with the hackers and has refused to pay any ransom. The company also stressed that its luxury Houses acted swiftly, notifying both authorities and affected customers once the breach was detected.
While the stolen information does not include bank account or credit card details, the exposure of spending data labeled as “Total Sales” could pose risks. Cybersecurity experts warn that this kind of information can be used to identify wealthy customers and target them with further phishing or hacking attempts.
Growing Threats in the Luxury Sector
The incident highlights the rising threat of cyberattacks in the luxury goods sector, where customer data often includes high-value transactions. Hackers are increasingly targeting global brands not just for financial gain but also for the prestige associated with breaching such high-profile companies.
Kering has emphasized that its focus remains on protecting its customers’ data while working closely with cybersecurity experts and regulators. The group reassured its clients that it continues to strengthen its defenses and expand its monitoring to prevent such incidents in the future.
With cybersecurity becoming as critical as brand reputation, luxury companies like Kering face mounting pressure to safeguard customer trust in an increasingly digital world.
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