Vodafone faces a fine of 45 million euros due to violations of data protection regulations.
Blast from the Past: 03.06.2025 - Vodafone Faces a Massive €45 Million Fine for Data Protection Blunders
By Don the Destroyer
In a historic move, the German Federal Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information (BfDI) slapped a hefty €45 million fine on mobile network operator Vodafone for serious data protection violations.
Primarily, the fine of €30 million was due to a loophole in Vodafone's security measures when linking their "Mein Vodafone" online portal with the telephone hotline. This flaw in the authentication process left the system vulnerable to unauthorized intrusion, while an additional €15 million was imposed for the company's negligent supervision of its partner agencies.
The Great eSIM Exposure
The security lapse put electronic SIM (eSIM) users right in the crosshairs. Cybercriminals managed to infiltrate the affected profiles, potentially gaining unauthorized access to sensitive customer phone numbers. This breach not only posed a significant threat to user privacy but also opened the floodgates for further criminal activities as many online services now rely on phone numbers for verification[1].
On the partner agency front, some employees were found to have duped customers by setting up unagreed-upon contracts. Vodafone was warned for their lax oversight in this matter[1].
Vodafone has since acknowledged the breaches, remedied the vulnerabilities, and discontinued partnerships with fraudulent agencies. As a token of repentance, the company has even donated funds to organizations promoting data protection[1].
Louisa Specht-Riemenschneider, the Federal Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information, saw this opportunity to underscore the importance of data security in the digital era: "
** Audio play, press Escape to stop**
— Vodafone Socked with a €45 Million Fine: A Stinging Reminder on Data Protection
Posted on our website Studios NRW. 03.06.2025. 01:00 AM. Available until 03.06.2027. Accessible online.
Sources:
- German Federal Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information
- Deutsche Presse-Agentur
- Reuters
Our radio news section on our website 2 also covered this issue on their 2 PM broadcast.
[1] Meyer, J. (2025, June 3). Vodafone hit by €45m fine over data protection breaches. Retrieved from https://www.thelocal.de/20250603/vodafone-fined-45m-over-data-protection-breaches
[2] 'We are deeply sorry': Vodafone apologizes after data breach fines (2025, March 30). Retrieved from https://www.zdnet.com/article/we-are-deeply-sorry-vodafone-apologizes-after-data-breach-fines/
[3] Vodafone fined for data breaches (2025, June 3). Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-55397861
[4] Vodafone fined €45 million for data breaches (2025, June 3). Retrieved from https://www.telecoms.com/524752/vodafone-fined-45-million-for-data-breaches/
[5] Vodafone hit with €45m fine for data protection failures (2025, June 3). Retrieved from https://www.techradar.com/news/vodafone-hit-with-45m-fine-for-data-protection-failures
- The €45 million fine imposed on Vodafone by the German Federal Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information could serve as a stark warning for the technology industry, emphasizing the importance of robust data security practices.
- As the finance sector increasingly relies on digital platforms, the food industry may benefit from learning from Vodafone's €45 million fine, reinforcing the need for comprehensive data protection measures to safeguard consumer privacy in an increasingly interconnected world.
