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Klarna Confirms Recycled Phone Numbers Caused Technical Issue
Forbes· 2025-11-21 20:40
Core Insights - Klarna experienced a technical issue related to recycled phone numbers, which exposed limited personal details for a small number of users, but it was not a data breach [2][4][7] - The company has resolved the issue and implemented additional verification steps to prevent future occurrences [6][9] Incident Details - The problem arose from mobile providers reassigning old phone numbers, which were not immediately recognized by Klarna's identity systems [3][5] - Klarna estimates that fewer than a few thousand users were affected and will notify each individual directly [4][6] Security Measures - Klarna employs multiple security measures, including device fingerprinting, behavioral analysis, geolocation signals, and dynamic risk scoring to identify and block recycled numbers [5][9] - The company confirmed that no sensitive card details were exposed during the incident [7] Ongoing Actions - Klarna is conducting an internal investigation and maintaining direct communication with impacted customers [8] - The incident highlights the complexity of digital identity systems and the necessity for layered verification checks [8][9]