Did hackers leak private photos? Mayor demands transparency
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A mysterious cyber attack in North Miami appears to have targeted Mayor Alix Desulme, who says his "private images" and personal information might have been exposed.
Why it matters: The apparent hacking incident, under local and federal investigation, shut down City Hall for several days last week — and government computers are still down.
- Residents must pay for their utility bills in person and in cash only, because card readers are also down.
- Police dispatchers are communicating with officers via walkie talkie and officers must write down the addresses of incidents because their car systems are down, too, Councilman Scott Galvin tells Axios.
The intrigue: Desulme, who is up for re-election in November, tells Axios he was informed by the city that nude photographs of him had been exposed in the cyber attack through his personal Gmail accounts.
- But Desulme denied having any explicit photos of himself.
- "That's something that I have never done, take nude pictures of me," he says.
Friction point: Desulme says he was told that personal details like his passport information and bank accounts were also compromised, but he hasn't been able to verify that because the city hasn't shown him the materials.
- "The lack of transparency has just been crazy…" he says. "If you say my passport has been compromised and all these things I think you should at least show me."
Threat level: Desulme and Galvin, the council member, both told Axios they want answers from the city and are concerned the hack might have compromised other residents' personal information.
- Desulme is also calling for an independent investigation.
- "If the mayor's private info has been compromised, has mine?" Galvin wondered. "Has Ms. Jones' across the street?"
The city did not respond to questions about the incident, pointing to a statement on its website:
- "The North Miami Information Technology team, along with local and federal authorities, continues to actively investigate the extent of the cyber incident.
- "We are working to secure our systems and remain committed to keeping the public informed. Updates will be provided as the information becomes available."