MTN has confirmed that an unknown third party claims to have accessed parts of its systems but insists there is no evidence that customers’ accounts or mobile money (MoMo) wallets have been compromised.
In a statement issued on April 24, 2025, the telecom giant explained, “An unknown third party has claimed to have accessed data linked to parts of our systems. At this stage, we do not have any information to suggest that customers’ accounts and wallets have been directly compromised.”
Responding swiftly to the incident, MTN activated its cybersecurity protocols and alerted law enforcement agencies, including the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the Hawks. Authorities across affected regions have also been notified, with investigations currently underway.
MTN was quick to assure the public that its critical infrastructure—including the core network, billing systems, and financial services platforms—remains secure and fully operational.
The company has started notifying impacted customers according to local legal and regulatory requirements, while also offering guidance on personal data protection.
“Customers are encouraged to remain vigilant and follow regular security measures,” the company advised, recommending the use of strong passwords, updated apps and devices, and caution when responding to suspicious messages or links.
MTN also urged customers not to share sensitive information like passwords, PINs, or one-time passwords (OTPs) via phone, text, or email, and to activate multifactor authentication whenever possible.
While acknowledging the seriousness of the situation, MTN reiterated that protecting customer data remains a top priority.
“We will continue to contain and manage this matter carefully,” the statement said. “MTN remains committed to safeguarding the integrity of our systems and the trust placed in us by our customers and other stakeholders.”
