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Justsystems suspected of using leaked Benesse customer data
[July 09, 2014]

Justsystems suspected of using leaked Benesse customer data


(Japan Economic Newswire Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Japanese software developer Justsystems Corp. has appropriated personal information leaked from a group company of Benesse Holdings Inc., a source close to the correspondence education company said Thursday.



Benesse said the previous day it has so far confirmed the leakage of about 7.6 million customers' information, and the number may rise up to 20.7 million customers.

The source said the company has confirmed the data leakage to Justsystems through its investigation, as some customers found direct mails from Justsystems bearing their personal information which they registered only with Benesse.


Justsystems, which also provides tablet computer-based education services, said, "There are some media reports that we sent direct mail knowing they are Benesse's information, but that is not true." Benesse suspects an insider who is not its employee leaked customer information. Since name list traders are confirmed as holding Benesse's customer information, Justsystems is suspected to have obtained the company's data through one such trader.

Police are investigating the case as a suspected breach of the unfair competition prevention law.

Known for its Shinkenzemi correspondence courses for schoolchildren, Benesse requires customers to register personal information, including names, addresses, and phone numbers, over the phone or by mail. The number of inquiries from its customers about possible data leakage has surged since June 26, the source said.

(c) 2014 Kyodo News

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