Canvas paid hackers to delete stolen data from 72k students
Why this story
Affects 100k+ students globally with significant privacy implications and corporate malfeasance angle.
OPTIMIST VIEW
Instructure's deal with hackers prevented wider misuse of 72k student records — proactive damage control saves victims.
SKEPTIC VIEW
Hong Kong police already got 2 fraud reports from the breach — the 'deletion deal' didn't prevent criminal misuse.
INDUSTRY REALITY
EdTech security budgets lag financial services despite handling thousands of institutions — ransom cheaper than lawsuits.
Hidden Truth
Hidden truth: The 72k figure is only Hong Kong's count — Instructure won't reveal the global scope of compromised records.Read the full breakdown →
Should companies be allowed to pay ransoms to protect customer data?
