Risk level: high. Can you change it: no. Found in 2 breaches in this directory.
What this data is
Your racial or ethnic background as recorded by a service, collected for demographics, health research, employment forms, dating preferences or census style surveys.
The risk on its own
Race and ethnicity are special category data under many privacy laws because exposure can lead to discrimination, harassment or exclusion. They cannot be changed, so a leaked record stays accurate forever. People from targeted communities may face greater risk than others.
The risk combined with other data
With your name, location and photo, ethnic data can be used for targeted harassment, discriminatory decisions or scams aimed at specific communities. In some places it can also expose people to state or group persecution. Linked to health or genetic data, it becomes even more sensitive.
How criminals use it
Hate groups use leaked ethnic data to target individuals with abuse.
Scams impersonating community organisations or embassies target people from a specific background.
A landlord, employer or lender uses leaked data to discriminate while hiding the real reason.
Community members in countries with persecution risks are exposed to authorities.
What to do now
Ask the organisation why it held this data and request deletion if it was not necessary.
Report online harassment to platforms and to police, keeping evidence.
Be cautious of messages claiming to be from community groups or embassies, and contact them through official channels.
Seek legal advice if you believe leaked ethnicity data was used against you.
Consider a complaint to your privacy regulator if the breach involved special category data without proper safeguards.
Frequently asked questions
Why is race considered sensitive data?
Because it can be used to discriminate or target people, many privacy laws give it extra protection.
Can a company collect my ethnicity?
Sometimes, for purposes like equal opportunity monitoring or health research, but laws often require a clear reason and stronger safeguards.
What can I do if I face discrimination after the leak?
Keep evidence and contact your local human rights commission, anti discrimination body or a lawyer.
Breaches that exposed this data
Adult FriendFinder (2015): 2015-05-21, 3.9M accounts, Dates of birth, Email addresses, Genders, Geographic locations, IP addresses, Races
Breach data sourced from Have I Been Pwned, used under CC BY 4.0. Additional breach metadata provided by XposedOrNot. DataExposed is an independent service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by either.