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Renault Group has confirmed that certain UK customer data was stolen after a cyberattack targeted one of its third-party data processors. The automaker says personal contact and vehicle information were exposed, but no payment or credit card details were compromised.
What happened and what was taken?
According to Renault, the breach affected a vendor that handles customer records. Stolen information includes customer names, home addresses, dates of birth, gender, phone numbers, vehicle registration numbers and vehicle identification numbers (VINs). The company declined to disclose the total number of affected customers for security reasons.
Renault emphasized that no other internal systems were impacted and that the third-party provider informed the automaker the incident has been contained. The automaker also stated it has notified relevant authorities, including the U.K. Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).
What Renault is doing now — and what customers should watch for
The company says it is contacting all potentially affected customers and advising them to be cautious about unsolicited messages or calls. Typical guidance includes verifying any unexpected contact about vehicles or personal details and watching for phishing attempts that try to exploit the leaked data.
- Authorities notified: Renault reported the incident to the ICO and other regulators.
- No financial data lost: Payment details were not part of the exposed records.
- Containment claimed: The third-party provider says the attack has been contained.
How this fits into a wider wave of automotive cyberattacks
This incident is the latest in a string of cyberattacks affecting the auto sector. Earlier this year, Jaguar Land Rover experienced a direct attack that disrupted production and supply chains, prompting government-backed support to stabilize operations. Tire maker Bridgestone Americas also had to halt output temporarily after a major attack, and Stellantis reported theft of customer data via a third-party platform.
These successive incidents underline a growing risk: as automakers rely more on external data platforms and digital supply chains, third-party breaches can cascade across manufacturers and suppliers. Imagine a single compromised vendor triggering customer notifications or factory downtime across multiple brands — that’s the kind of ripple effect seen recently.
What consumers can do today
If you own a Renault or Dacia vehicle and receive unexpected contact, verify the sender before sharing information. Change passwords on associated online accounts, enable two-factor authentication where available, and monitor communications for signs of impersonation. If you suspect fraud, report it to your bank and the ICO in the U.K.
Renault sold about 2.3 million vehicles worldwide in 2024, highlighting how many customers could be affected when third-party platforms are targeted. For now, the company and regulators are investigating and notifying those impacted as they work to limit further harm.
Source: cybersecuritydive
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