Careem has identified a cyber incident involving unauthorised access to the system we use to store data. While we have seen no evidence of fraud or misuse related to this incident, it is our responsibility to be open and honest with you, and to reaffirm our commitment to protecting your privacy and data.
We also want to share with you the actions we are taking to address the issue and to prevent it from happening in the future.
On January 14th of this year, we became aware that online criminals gained access to our computer systems which hold customer and captain account data. Customers and captains who have signed up with us since that date are not affected.
As soon as we detected the breach, we launched a thorough investigation and engaged leading cybersecurity experts to assist us in strengthening our security systems. We are also working with law enforcement agencies.
Throughout the incident, our priority has been to protect the data and privacy of our customers and captains. Since discovering the issue, we have worked to understand what happened, who was affected, and what we needed to do to strengthen our network defences.
Alongside the work we are doing to further strengthen our security systems, customers can follow these steps to safeguard their own personal information:
Implement good password management by updating your Careem password, as well as other accounts on which you use similar details. Use a strong mix of characters, and try not to use the same password for multiple sites
Remain cautious of any unsolicited communications that ask for personal information or refer to a web page asking for personal information
Avoid clicking on links or downloading attachments from unfamiliar emails
Continue to review bank account and credit card statements for suspicious activity – if you see anything unexpected, call your bank
Careem understands the importance of your privacy. We regularly review and update our security systems – this time it wasn’t enough to prevent an attack. While no organisation is completely immune to the threat of cybercrime, we are committed to meeting these threats and protecting the privacy and data of those that have placed their trust in us.
We apologise for what has happened but rest assured, Careem has learned from this experience and will come out of it a stronger and more resilient organisation. We remain dedicated to our mission of supporting the millions of captains and customers in the region who depend on Careem to earn a living and get around.
If you have any further questions, please head to https://blog.careem.com/security or email our team at [email protected].
Our services are very much in operation and we look forward to your next Careem.
