Twitch Hack: Amazon Blames "Configuration Error" for Massive Data Breach

Twitch, owned by Amazon, on Wednesday, blamed "an error" in a server configuration change that might have let an alleged hacker leak sensitive information about the platform. The platform said it was still assessing the results and damages, and that it had reset all stream keys, or codes that allowed influencers and streamers, to connect and upload content for users.

Video Games Chronicle had earlier reported that an anonymous hacker accepted the claims of leaking Twitch’s data, including the source code and information on its clients and unreleased games. Earlier this week, Facebook had blamed a “faulty configuration change" during routine maintenance work at its data centres networks for the nearly six-hour outage, which prevented the company’s 3.5 billion users from accessing its social media and messaging services.

The social media giant later confirmed that the error was not due to any malicious activity. “Facebook basically just removed themselves from the Internet, but they did not lose any sensitive information. For Twitch, it was just bad fortune," said Candid Wuest, an executive for cyber protection research at Acronis.

The platform, which was boycotted earlier this year by users for not doing enough to block harassment, previously made a move to ban users for offences such as hate-group membership and credible threats of mass violence.