In reversal, AT&T says most FirstNet customers impacted in data breach

AT&T said most phone numbers connected to a Commerce Department-linked public safety network service relied on by U.S. first responders were compromised in a data breach. The new statement reverses course on how the breach affected FirstNet, a program managed by AT&T that’s relied on by federal, state, local and tribal governments for emergency public safety services like fire and police departments. “Our initial assessment of the percentage of FirstNet numbers in the compromised data was incorrect,” said an AT&T spokesperson. “We now believe the proportion of FirstNet numbers included in the data is similar to that of our broader customer base.” “We take protecting FirstNet data very seriously. And we’ll continue to work with the FirstNet Authority and the public safety community to ensure FirstNet is effectively serving the nation’s first responders,” the spokesperson added.