More than 30 Crime Stoppers chapters and police units suspend tip intake after data breach

Following a CBC investigation that revealed a data breach compromising more than 1.5 million Crime Stoppers tips, dozens of chapters and police partners have suspended the program. CBC reports that at least 11 Crime Stoppers programs have announced a pause in accepting anonymous tips and 24 police units have ended their partnership with the organization.

Navigate360, the U.S.-based firm that processes international Crime Stoppers tips, acknowledged on Friday that its systems were breached, seven months after the incident occurred. The company has not responded to CBC’s repeated requests for comment.

Police services in Ontario and Manitoba said they are halting collaborations until an investigation confirms the safety of tipsters. The Brantford Police Service issued a statement saying the decision "reflects the importance of ensuring appropriate safeguards are in place to protect the confidentiality of information and the anonymity of individuals who come forward." The Winnipeg Police Service emphasized that "public trust is essential to the success of any reporting platform, and we recognize the importance of maintaining confidence in the security and confidentiality of information shared by members of the public."

CBC contacted 35 local Crime Stoppers chapters, including those with the highest number of compromised tips. Ten chapters responded, confirming they would no longer accept anonymous tips, while 25 have not replied. New Brunswick Crime Stoppers indicated it will continue its program.

All five Crime Stoppers programs in Saskatchewan announced a province-wide pause on tip intake. The Association of Crime Stoppers Programs of Saskatchewan said it is "working to understand the scope of this breach in Saskatchewan" and is pressing Navigate360 for needed information through legal counsel.

Two chapters in Northern Ontario also paused tip collection. Near North Crime Stoppers posted a notice that it has "paused the acceptance of new tips through our telephone line, website, and mobile app following a cybersecurity breach." Sault Ste. Marie Crime Stoppers stated it cannot accept or forward tips for local police services, which have also paused participation.

An internal memo obtained by CBC, dated Oct. 22, instructed local chapters not to provide interviews or statements to media and to direct inquiries to the Canadian Crime Stoppers Association. The memo was signed by David J. Forster, president of the association.

The suspensions highlight ongoing concerns about the security of anonymous tip reporting and the need for safeguards before services resume.