Hackers Attack Taxi App In Russia, Sends Many Drivers To The Same Location

Amid the Ukrainian invasion, hackers attacked a Russian taxi company app, sending hundreds of drivers to the same destination, resulting in severe traffic jams in Moscow.

On Thursday, September 1, it was announced that Yandex Taxi, a Russian app similar to Uber that enables users to order taxis to their location, had been targeted. Later, the company released a statement confirming the occurrence.

“On the morning of September 1, Yandex Taxi encountered an attempt by attackers to disrupt the service — several dozen drivers received bulk orders to the Fili region,” the company said.

The Kutuzovsky Prospekt in Moscow, a significant road, running from east to west and reaching into the centre of the Russian capital, was swamped by taxis as a result of the hack.

According to the company, attempts to artificially order the taxis were “immediately stopped” by the security department. This, however, was insufficient to end the traffic jam.

“Drivers still spent about 40 minutes in traffic jams due to fake orders by the hackers. The issue of compensation will be resolved in the near future,” the company said.

The hack has not yet been claimed by anyone, however, it occurs while Vladimir Putin’s soldiers continue to occupy Ukraine.