Hacktivist Steals Data of 2M Columbia University Students, Employees in Political Cyberattack

Columbia University experienced a politically motivated cyberattack on June 24 by a skilled hacktivist who disrupted campus-wide computer systems and stole sensitive personal data from over two million students, applicants, and employees. The hacker targeted documents related to affirmative action policies, which the Supreme Court banned last year, aiming to expose Columbia’s compliance with this ruling. During the attack, images of President Donald Trump appeared on public monitors across campus, though it remains unclear if this was directly connected to the breach. Columbia officials confirmed the incident involved a sophisticated and targeted theft, and they are investigating the full scope of the data compromised while promising transparency with those affected. The breach occurs amid ongoing tensions and negotiations with the Trump administration, which has threatened to withhold $400 million in federal funds over the university’s policies and treatment of Jewish students. Columbia has since restored its systems and continues forensic analysis to understand the extent of the theft.