Georgetown Shuts Down Email For 14 Hours After Mailing Out Private Info

from the oops dept

There have been plenty of stories of organizations accidentally (or just stupidly) emailing out private information to people. However, they usually just get beat up in the press about it, make a big apology, and it goes away. However, when Georgetown University realized they screwed up, they shut down their entire email system for 14 hours, while they tried to repair the damage. They stopped the message from going out to undergrads, but it had already been delivered to 3,000 grad students. So, they went into each student’s account, and replaced the message with a blank email. While some think it was the proper thing to do to prevent the privacy violation, others think it shows the university has too much control over the email system – and worry what they could do in the future.


Rate this comment as insightful
Rate this comment as funny
You have rated this comment as insightful
You have rated this comment as funny
Flag this comment as abusive/trolling/spam
You have flagged this comment
The first word has already been claimed
The last word has already been claimed
Insightful Lightbulb icon Funny Laughing icon Abusive/trolling/spam Flag icon Insightful badge Lightbulb icon Funny badge Laughing icon Comments icon

Comments on “Georgetown Shuts Down Email For 14 Hours After Mailing Out Private Info”

Subscribe: RSS Leave a comment
3 Comments
Jack9 says:

Um, too much control?

Are they fucking stupid? Of course the university has complete control over their own email system and all email that passes through. IT’S THEIR SYSTEM. I don’t want the governor’s staff or the mayor’s coffee boy in charge of the university email system, I EXPECT THE FUCKING UNIVERSITY TO MAINTAIN COMPLETE CHARGE OF THEIR OWN SYSTEMS.

Add Your Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Have a Techdirt Account? Sign in now. Want one? Register here

Comment Options:

Make this the or (get credits or sign in to see balance) what's this?

What's this?

Techdirt community members with Techdirt Credits can spotlight a comment as either the "First Word" or "Last Word" on a particular comment thread. Credits can be purchased at the Techdirt Insider Shop »

Follow Techdirt

Techdirt Daily Newsletter

Techdirt Deals
Techdirt Insider Discord
The latest chatter on the Techdirt Insider Discord channel...
Loading...