The CEO of the agency american credit Equifax Richard Smith, announced on Tuesday that he was resigning from his role after the hacking, which targeted his business and potentially compromised the data of approximately 143 million Americans. His resignation is effective immediately and the company will begin immediately the search for someone to replace him, according to a press release.
In the meantime, this is one of the members of the Board of directors, Mark Feidler, who will take the presidency, while Paulino do Rego Barros, until now responsible for the group’s operations in Asia, will provide leadership to the group by acting.
“The Board remains deeply concerned about piracy and determined to face its consequences,” noted Mark Feidler, quoted in the press release. “On behalf of the entire Board of directors, I extend my sincerest apologies.” It states that Richard Smith will continue to advise Equifax without, however, be paid.
Under the fire of criticism
The hacking of Equifax, has been dubbed “the flaw very serious” by Janet Yellen, the chairwoman of the u.s. central bank, which has called on consumers “to now be very cautious in monitoring their credit and their financial situation”.
The company, one of the most important credit agencies in the u.s., which collects and analyses personal data of consumers seeking credit, had announced on 7 September that hackers had obtained the names, social security numbers, dates of birth and, in some cases, driver’s license numbers of customers, is as much information that can be used for identity theft. The data of customers in Canada and in Britain had also been hacked.
The action collapses in the Stock market
Since then, Equifax is the target of the american media who claim that the measures put in place to remedy the consequences of the cyber attacks are insufficient, and the advice given to customers to protect their data inadequate.
Criticisms have also been made to certain managers of the group to have sold shares after the hacking has been found at the end of July, but before its official announcement in early September.
Following the announcement of the resignation of Richard Smith, the action of Equifax lost 2.25% to 102,78 dollars to the opening of Wall Street to 13h35 GMT. She collapsed by more than 28% since the revelation of the attack.
(With AFP)
