Ex-Uber chief security officer charged, accused of covering up theft of personal info from databases by hackers

As Uber's chief security officer, Joe Sullivan broke the law by hushing up the theft of millions of people's details from the app maker's databases by hackers, prosecutors say. Sullivan, 52, formerly of eBay, Facebook, and PayPal, was today charged with obstruction of justice and misprision – concealing knowledge of a crime …

[Woodnag]

So his crime was actually lying to Fed

If he'd said nothing, he'd be ok. Like Martha Stewart.

[RM Myers]

Re: So his crime was actually lying to Fed

You do realize Martha Stewart served 5 months in a federal prison and two years of supervised release for, among other things, "making false statements to federal investigators"?

[DS999]

Re: So his crime was actually lying to Fed

No, his crime was not saying something when he was legally required to. Sounds like Uber's former CEO is likely to be charged as an accessory to this crime as well, which no one will shed a tear over.

[Anonymous Coward]

Always the employee on the hook

and never the employer

(or is the employee not an employee but a self-employed contractor?).

[RM Myers]

Re: Always the employee on the hook

Actually, "Uber settled with the FTC and agreed to audits of its privacy and security systems every two years for the next two decades. The company also paid $148 million penalty to settle lawsuits brought by all 50 states and the District of Columbia."

See https://thehill.com/policy/technology/512968-doj-charges-former-uber-executive-with-attempting-to-conceal-2016-hack for more details.

[DS999]

Re: Always the employee on the hook

According to the article it sounds like Uber's then-CEO could very likely be charged as an accessory to this crime, so in this rare case justice might really be done.

[don't you hate it when you lose your account]

If they go to jail

Will they be prisoners or self employed inmates?

[Halfmad]

My hot take..

We should be happy finally a senior manager is being legally taken to task over their conduct after finding out about a breach.Perhaps it will encourage the appropriate response and oh I don't know responsibility that comes with the inflated pay cheque.

It's likely that the management culture is in many ways just as guilty but you can't change that without changing the management mindset of each individual involved. If they think they are PERSONALLY on the hook for these sorts of shenanigans, it's far less likely to happen.

[A random security guy]

This is the US: he will get a slap on the wrist

There will be a plea bargain. A fine will be paid. No one will admit guilt. Sorry, I am a security guy and I hate this kind of behavior. But it is all too common.

[Brad16800]

Re: This is the US: he will get a slap on the wrist

Exactly, it's not about justice but the price of your lawer(s)