A group of hackers who targeted a UK nursery chain and published pictures of children online has retreated following widespread public condemnation, and has even issued an apology. This shows that even cybercriminals are sensitive to negative publicity.
Late in September, parents in the UK were shocked to discover that hackers had broken into the computer systems of Kido, a chain of nurseries. The hackers stole photos and private details of thousands of children and are demanding around £600,000 (about $800,000) in Bitcoin to remove the stolen information.
As a fan, it was terrifying to learn that the hackers, calling themselves Radiant, went as far as contacting parents directly and threatening them to get the school district to pay the ransom. But thankfully, after a lot of public criticism, they unexpectedly backed down after just a week!
The group obscured the images and then wiped all the data, asserting that the stolen information was completely gone. One member told the BBC, “We’re now deleting all the images of children, and nothing is left, which should reassure parents.” They also added, “We apologize for the harm caused to the children.”
Ransomware group apologizes for hacking toddlers
Cybersecurity experts suggest Radiant’s recent pullback wasn’t due to a change of heart, but rather a strategic move to avoid further consequences. Jamie MacColl, a researcher at the Royal United Services Institute, stated, “I don’t think they should be praised for this. They clearly overstepped a boundary.”
The decision to stop the attacks probably stemmed from disapproval within the hacking community, especially among Russian-speaking cybercriminals who generally avoid targeting children due to the negative attention it brings.
According to MacColl, the backlash will likely come from those who support ethical hacking. However, he also anticipates pressure from Russian cyber groups or authorities, as the attention from Western law enforcement agencies became too significant to ignore.
Reports indicate Kido didn’t pay a ransom demand. Radiant, the hacking group involved, appears to be relatively new and inexperienced, and they’ve seemingly discovered that even on the dark web, certain organizations shouldn’t be targeted.
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2025-10-07 18:25