'Technical error' shares log-in information of hundreds of students attending online classes with TVO
Hundreds of students who attend an online high school operated by TVO are being asked to change their passwords after a “technical error” last week led to their personal log-in information being leaked to other students.
Students who attend TVO ILC (formerly known as the Independent Learning Centre) contacted CTV News Toronto about the breach, sharing emails that detailed the name, course and login information of another student. The emails were titled “you’re getting closer to the finish line.”
TVO’s Director of Communication confirmed the emails were sent on Jan. 6 as a result of a “technical error” by a third-party service provider.
“As a result, certain students had information such as their name and login credentials exposed to another student,” Lsan Tzadu said in a statement.
“As soon as we became aware of the exposure, we immediately restricted access to the system for all users while we investigated the problem and implemented protocols to reset login credentials.”
Tzadu said the broadcaster immediately informed the Ministry of Education and Ontario’s Information and Privacy Commissioner about the breaks.
TVO ILC offers more than 144 online courses to over 20,000 students across 72 school boards in Ontario. It is not clear exactly how many people were impacted by the technical error, but Tzadu said it was at least “several hundreds.”
Impacted students were notified of the breach in an email and told that if their password information was sent out, they will receive a notification to reset their login credentials. They were also urged to delete the erroneous email and clear their deleted messages.
TVO would not confirm to CTV News Toronto which third-party service provider was involved in the breach. There was no privacy breach or mass leak of information, Tzadu said, and all accounts have been secured.
Tzadu added this was an “isolated incident” and the system was back in operation the same day it was disrupted.
“We take the privacy of your students and all individuals very seriously, and are working with our service provider to further investigate the incident and to ensure this doesn’t happen again,” Tzadu said.
“We are continuing outreach and support activities to affected students to ensure their learning is not disrupted.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
BREAKING Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
The Body Shop Canada explores sale as demand outpaces inventory: court filing
The Body Shop Canada is exploring a sale as it struggles to get its hands on enough inventory to keep up with "robust" sales after announcing it would file for creditor protection and close 33 stores.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
On federal budget, Macklem says 'fiscal track has not changed significantly'
Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem says Canada's fiscal position has 'not changed significantly' following the release of the federal government's budget.