😱 "16 billion leaked passwords": the massive data breach that made headlines. But is it really all that?
The largest breach in history?
The international press reported a supposed “largest data breach in history,” involving 16 billion leaked passwords. That’s more passwords than anyone could possibly need, roughly two for every person on the planet. Headlines mentioned Google, Apple, Facebook, and other tech giants, suggesting no one was spared. The immediate reaction was panic: mass password changes and widespread concern over hacked accounts. But taking a deep breath and looking at the facts, does this mega leak really live up to the hype?
Old data in new packaging
Security experts were quick to point out that this wasn’t a new cyberattack, but rather a massive compilation of credentials leaked over the years.
Instead of a brand-new hack, the 16-billion-password bundle is more like a patchwork of old and new data: combinations already exposed in past breaches, lists from infostealers (malware that extracts credentials from infected devices), and results of credential stuffing attacks. In short, a lot of recycled junk repackaged as something new and massive.
Unsurprisingly, the dataset appeared in the typical format used by infostealer logs...
Even Cybernews researchers admit that the credentials came from malware, brute-force attacks, and reused data from previous leaks. And while they claim there are some fresh entries mixed in, there’s no solid evidence of anything truly new in the pile. It's also worth noting that the astronomical number includes tons of duplicate or invalid entries, after all, different datasets often contain the same reused credentials. In the end, this so-called “record-breaking breach” feels more like a remix of familiar material than a truly new incident.
No doubt: you should still change your weak or short passwords, enable MFA, monitor Google and HaveIBeenPwned alerts, and stay cautious. But the idea pushed by some headlines, “OMG, Google and Facebook leaked my passwords!”, just doesn’t hold up.
Most emails online end with gmail.com, and most Facebook accounts are linked to gmail.com too. Many fake accounts, thanks to how easy it is to create a Gmail address, also use gmail.com. So naturally, any large leak will include a flood of gmail addresses. And since people often reuse the same password everywhere, the reaction is: “Google leaked my password! Help, mom!”
The Ease of Faking a “Mega Leak”
That 16-billion figure might raise eyebrows, but here’s a dose of technical sarcasm: with the right tools, fabricating a massive password database isn’t that hard. Imagine an algorithm churning out millions of random email-password combos, we could even toss in characters from the Himalayas like yeti.hacker@himalaya.com with the password Sn0wM0nster! for some cliché flair. Pretty soon, we’d have a massive database of fake or useless data, ready to be posted on shady forums as “the biggest breach ever.”
It sounds funny, but there’s a serious point: when data isn’t verified, size doesn’t equal credibility. Anyone with a computer and no ethics can inflate numbers to grab attention, especially in a world hungry for dramatic headlines.
Not saying that’s what happened this time, okay? But it’s a good moment to highlight how “fake data leaks” are common and often used in scams or extortion. A sketchy group announces a supposed leak involving a well-known company. Alarmists spread it online like wildfire, without even previewing the data or checking if the company confirms any matches. Meanwhile, scammers extort the already shaken company.
Want to see how easy it is? (Don’t try this at home)
Pick a company with over 10,000 employees on LinkedIn. Run a bot to extract all employee names. Find a few real emails and figure out the company’s email format, usually something like firstname.lastname@company.com. Use LinkedIn data plus publicly available breach data to build a fake “internal” database. Identify the ERP system the company uses, Salesforce, Oracle, SAP? Their data models are well-known. Now, generate fake data using those structures, sprinkle in sensitive fields to mimic HR records, blur some screenshots, and post “samples” on dark web forums. Announce a ransom deadline or else the “leak” goes public. Boom, instant headline fodder without even hacking anyone.
See how easy it is to fake a data breach?
Sensationalism and Lack of Verification
This case also sheds light on poor information governance and media responsibility. All it takes is one anonymous post on a hacker forum or an exaggerated “disclosure” for certain media outlets to cry “password apocalypse” without any real technical validation.
In this case, dramatic headlines exploded before anyone confirmed the originality of the data. One site even urged readers to “change your passwords now!” as if all accounts were magically compromised overnight. Even reputable publications echoed the “largest breach ever” narrative, fueling fear and frenzy.
Eventually, independent researchers poured cold water on the story: no major platform was hacked recently, and most of the data had already been circulating for years. It’s reminiscent of past fiascos, like RockYou2021, where, after the panic faded, it became clear that there was little to nothing actually new.
In short: massive hype, minimal substance.
Watch Out for Opportunistic Scams
As if the misinformation carnival wasn’t enough, scammers are always ready to pounce. Whenever news breaks of a “mega breach,” phishing messages and fake websites pop up, claiming to “check if you were affected” or offering bogus compensation.
In Brazil, some sites quickly promised up to R$ 20,000 in government payouts for victims. Total lie, of course. These scams either harvest CPFs, passwords, and personal info, or charge upfront “fees” for compensation that never comes. The Data Protection Authority and fact-checkers have already warned: no official payments were announced, it’s all a ruse to steal financial data.
So be cautious: don’t hand over info or money to sites or supposed companies exploiting breach panic as bait.
Lessons from the “16 Billion Password Leak”
This leak teaches us two key lessons.
First, spectacular numbers demand spectacular scrutiny. Not every scare translates into actual risk. It’s vital to question the origin and quality of leaked data before spreading panic.
Second, from a privacy and security standpoint, we remain vulnerable, not because of some single mega-hack, but due to a buildup of bad habits over time: password reuse, old leaks, and stealthy malware.
The right response isn’t blind fear, it’s smart action: use stronger passwords, adopt password managers, enable 2FA, and don’t fall for easy promises.
That way, even if 16 billion passwords leak (again), you won’t just be another extra in this ongoing theater of recycled breaches…
Actually, we might even predict the size of the next “record leak.” If RockYou2021 had 8 billion, and this one hit 16 billion in 2025, are we headed for 24 billion by 2029?
Probably sooner, we’ve got AI for that now.
References
ABRAMS, Lawrence. No, the 16 billion credentials leak is not a new data breach. BleepingComputer, Jun. 19, 2025. Available at: https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/no-the-16-billion-credentials-leak-is-not-a-new-data-breach/. Accessed on: Jun. 22, 2025.
PETKAUSKAS, Vilius; LAPIENYTĖ, Jurgita. 16 billion passwords exposed in record-breaking data breach, opening access to Facebook, Google, Apple, and any other service imaginable. Cybernews, Jun. 21, 2025. Available at: https://cybernews.com/security/billions-credentials-exposed-infostealers-data-leak/. Accessed on: Jun. 22, 2025.
WINDER, Davey. 16 Billion Apple, Facebook, Google And Other Passwords Leaked — Change Yours Now. Forbes (online), Jun. 20, 2025. Available at: https://www.forbes.com/sites/daveywinder/2025/06/20/16-billion-apple-facebook-google-passwords-leaked---change-yours-now/. Accessed on: Jun. 22, 2025.
EXAME (Redação). Maior vazamento da história expõe 16 bilhões de senhas — e Brasil está entre os mais afetados. Exame, Jun. 21, 2025. Available at: https://exame.com/tecnologia/maior-vazamento-da-historia-expoe-16-bilhoes-de-senhas-e-brasil-esta-entre-os-mais-afetados/. Accessed on: Jun. 22, 2025.
FAUSTINO, Marco. É golpe lista que promete indenização de até R$ 20 mil do governo federal. Aos Fatos, Apr. 10, 2025. Available at: https://www.aosfatos.org/noticias/golpe-lista-indenizacao-20-mil-governo-federal/. Accessed on: Jun. 22, 2025.
Great read and much needed clarity.