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Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times
Business
Samantha Masunaga

BRIEF: Twitter warns some users about potential 'state-sponsored' hacks

Dec. 14--Several Twitter users said they have received warnings from the microblogging company that their accounts may have been targeted by "state-sponsored actors."

The warnings, which some users said they received Friday, say that the hackers may have been trying to get information such as email addresses, IP addresses and phone numbers.

In the notice, San Francisco-based Twitter said it has no evidence that the hackers obtained account information, but the company was "actively investigating" the matter.

Screenshots of the message were posted by several users, including Coldhak, a Canadian nonprofit focused on privacy and security.

"It's possible your account may not have been an intended target of the suspected activity, but we wanted to alert you as soon as possible," Twitter says in the notice posted by Coldhak.

According to the BBC and Financial Times, it is the first time that Twitter has released a warning about a possible hack by individuals possibly associated with a government.

Twitter did not respond immediately to a request for comment.

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