Employee charged in 407 ETR data breach involving 60,000 customers

An employee from a company that operates a well-traveled toll road in southern Ontario has been charged in a major breach of customer data.

York Regional Police allege the 407 Express Toll Route employee used a company computer to access and compile a list of names, addresses and phone numbers of 60,000 customers in specific areas.

They say the suspect, 37-year-old Varun (Bobby) Saini of Toronto, is charged with mischief to data and unauthorized use of a computer.

Police say he has been released and is due in court on Nov. 5.

The investigation began in May 2018 after the toll route operator reported a breach, describing it as an “inside theft of data.”

It said at the time that no external breach was suspected and no credit card or banking information was taken.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published on July 23, 2020.

The Canadian Press