TOKYO - The Japanese government has asked major telecommunications operators to forcibly block access to websites believed to contain personal information stolen in a cyberattack on GMO, it emerged on October 29th, as authorities moved to prevent further exposure of sensitive data online.
A website believed to have been operated by the attackers has already become inaccessible following the suspension of its domain, with speculation that a U.S.-based service provider took action to shut it down.
The government has also requested that major domestic telecommunications companies implement a measure known as "blocking," conveying the request through an industry association.
Under the measure, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications asks telecommunications operators to identify the websites users are attempting to access and forcibly prevent connections to designated sites.
The move represents an effort to contain the damage from the unauthorized access to GMO's systems by preventing personal information believed to have been obtained in the attack from being viewed or distributed through the affected websites.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Kihara emphasized the government's position on protecting personal information, stating, "The publication of personal information online and the violation of privacy rights must not be tolerated."
The request places telecommunications operators at the center of the government's response to the information leak, with authorities seeking to restrict access to websites carrying exposed personal data even as efforts to disable the sites themselves continue.
Source: FNN
