Orange Implements New Security Measures After Major Data Breach

Orange Belgium Responds to Massive Data Breach with Enhanced Security Protocols

Orange Belgium has announced comprehensive new security measures following a significant data breach that compromised the personal information of approximately 850,000 customers. The telecommunications provider is implementing enhanced controls to prevent SIM-swapping attacks using the stolen data.

Details of the Security Incident

The data breach, which occurred in late August 2025, exposed sensitive customer information including names, telephone numbers, SIM card numbers, PUK codes, and Orange tariff plans. This information provides sufficient data for criminals to execute SIM-swapping attacks, where a victim's phone number is transferred to a different SIM card controlled by attackers.

New Protective Measures

According to Belgium's telecommunications regulator BIPT, Orange will now notify customers via SMS whenever a SIM-swap request is initiated. Customers who did not request the transfer can block the process by replying "STOP" within eight hours of receiving the notification message.

The system allows legitimate transfers to proceed while providing a critical window for customers to prevent unauthorized number porting. However, this approach has limitations—customers who have their phones turned off or unavailable may miss the eight-hour response window, potentially allowing fraudulent transfers to complete.

Risks of SIM-Swapping Attacks

SIM-swapping represents a severe security threat that extends beyond simple phone number theft. Attackers who gain control of a victim's phone number can intercept SMS verification codes used for two-factor authentication across various online services. This enables access to email accounts, social media profiles, banking applications, and other sensitive accounts linked to the phone number.

Security experts recommend transitioning from SMS-based two-factor authentication to dedicated authentication apps that generate one-time passwords locally. These apps provide significantly stronger protection as the codes cannot be intercepted through phone number compromise.

Regulatory Oversight and Criticism

The Belgian Institute for Postal Services and Telecommunications (BIPT) will continue monitoring the effectiveness of Orange's new security measures. Meanwhile, ethical hacker Inti De Ceukelaire has criticized Orange's handling of the breach, accusing the company of downplaying the risks and shifting responsibility to customers. De Ceukelaire has filed a formal complaint with Belgium's Data Protection Authority regarding Orange's response to the incident.

This data breach highlights the ongoing challenges telecommunications providers face in protecting customer data against increasingly sophisticated cyber threats while maintaining regulatory compliance and customer trust.