Disney employees say his life went out of control after downloading AI tools and then his life led to a cyber attack that allowed hacker access to all his personal information. Not only that, hackers accessed Disney's internal businesses, including private customer and employee information.
In February 2024, Disney employee Matthew Van Ander downloaded an AI tool that helps generate images from text prompts from code sharing site Github. Report By Wall Street Journal.
The AI tool for image generation worked, but also worked as malware, allowing hacker access unknown to Van Ander. From there, the hackers gained access to van Andel's 1Password account, which is used to store passwords, other sensitive information, as well as digital files that allow access to Disney's internal slack channels.
Researchers say there is probably only one hacker from the United States.
In July, after appearing on Van Ander's computer for five months, Nullbulge sent a message to him, writing, “I have access to certain confidential information related to your personal and professional life.” The hacker's message also includes information that Van Ander knew no one other than Disney was wise, and he realized he was actually cyberattacked.
The next day, Disney's afternoon Slack Exchange reportedly went online, urging the company's cybersecurity team to take action. The data dump included private customer information and employee passport numbers, among the additional information. While Van Ander was on the phone with Disney's cybersecurity team, the hackers sent him a message.
However, his communications clearly did not appease the hackers. The hacker looked back the next morning and posted all his login information on the internet from Van Ander's 1Password account.
Van Ander reportedly lost sleep and suffered a panic attack, but his credit card earned a bill and his personal information was posted online, ranging from his Social Security number to accessing ring cameras in his home.
Van Ander then began receiving “creepy” calls and text messages from complete strangers. “It's impossible to convey a sense of violation,” he said.
A few weeks later, Disney fired Van Ander and explained that his work computer analysis revealed he had access to porn material from his laptop. Disney employees refused to use their work computer to access porn, claiming “I'm a hacked person.”
However, Van Ander's attempt to clear his name with Disney's HR was in vain, and he ended up losing his health insurance and an estimated $200,000 bonus.
In an attempt to regain his life, Van Ander reportedly began contract work to help pay bills, but his sister set up a GoFundMe campaign to ask for donations. Meanwhile, Van Ander's lawyers sent a request to Disney on December 19th, seeking an eight-figure settlement for lost wages and emotional distress.
To this day, Van Ander says you can still see hackers trying to break into his account and using the now-changing password information.
Alana Mastrangelo is a reporter for Breitbart News. You can follow her Facebook and x at @armestrangeloand on Instagram.
