Winnipeg police the latest to halt Crime Stoppers use after data hack

Winnipeg Police is the latest Canadian force pausing its relationship with Crime Stoppers. The anonymous tip line trusted for decades. It's been a crucial tool for police. But after a CBC News investigation found 1.5 million Canadian tips were leaked in a massive data breach, at least 16 police services in Ontario and Manitoba say they're pausing the use of Crime Stoppers, including Canada's biggest city. This former Toronto police sergeant says Crime Stoppers tips were key, particularly for drug busts and serious crimes. You receive a tip from a confidential informant. That may well crack your case. In today's video, we'll walk you through a tip and focus in Navigate 360's anonymous reporting system. Crime Stoppers promises tips are anonymous, but in March, a hacker stole millions of tips from a database operated through a third-party company, Ohio-based Navigate 360. CBC News discovered the leak was full of Canadians' names, addresses, and details. If information on your identity were to get out, that's extremely dangerous and a person could get killed. This person gave a tip after a loved one was killed. I feel scared and kind of disappointed. CBC News is concealing their identity and voice. Afraid the suspect, now charged with murder, could seek revenge. They were capable of hurting my loved ones. They could come back and hurt one of us. This cybersecurity expert says victims should try and remember what personal information they submitted. That usually creates a bit of an irresistible honeypot for attackers and cyber criminals. Navigate 360 acknowledged the hacks in a statement, but hasn't responded to CBC News. The Office of the Federal Privacy Commissioner says it doesn't usually investigate non-profits like Crime Stoppers because they don't collect personal information for commercial use. But it says it has reached out to Crime Stoppers and Navigate 360. Michelle Allen, CBC News, Winnipeg.