SoundCloud has confirmed a cybersecurity incident that has come to be known as the SoundCloud data breach, which led to led to unauthorized access to user data. The company said hackers exfiltrated email addresses and public profile information linked to about 20 percent of its global user base.
The disclosure came through a transparency blog post published on December 15, 2025. SoundCloud stated that no passwords, financial details, or private content were compromised. The platform added that the incident has been fully contained and that there is no ongoing risk to users or service availability.
The SoundCloud data breach was detected after internal teams identified unusual activity connected to an ancillary service dashboard. That discovery triggered immediate response procedures and a broader security review.
How the breach was detected and contained
According to SoundCloud, security teams acted quickly once the suspicious activity was identified. Access to the affected systems was restricted, and the company engaged third party cybersecurity experts to conduct a forensic investigation.
The investigation confirmed that attackers were able to access and exfiltrate a limited set of data. The exposed information included user email addresses and details already visible on public SoundCloud profiles. The company emphasized that login credentials, payment data, and private messages were not involved.
After the initial containment of the SoundCloud data breach, SoundCloud experienced two denial-of-service attacks that briefly affected web access. Mobile applications and API services remained operational during that period. The company said these disruptions were short-lived and unrelated to further data exposure.
SoundCloud stated that it is confident that all unauthorized access has been cut off. The company added that monitoring systems remain active to detect any follow up attempts.
Scope of impact and data exposure
SoundCloud estimates that roughly one in five users was affected by the breach. While the scale is significant, the nature of the data limits the immediate risk of account takeover or financial fraud.
The company clarified that the exposed information was limited to email addresses and public facing profile data. No passwords were accessed, and no billing or payment systems were involved. As a result, users are not required to reset passwords solely because of this incident.
However, cybersecurity experts often warn that email addresses combined with public profile details can still be misused. Such data can support targeted phishing campaigns that appear more credible to recipients.
SoundCloud has advised users to remain cautious about emails claiming to be related to account alerts or security issues. The company encouraged users to verify messages carefully and avoid clicking on suspicious links.
Security response and next steps for users
Following the SoundCloud data breach, SoundCloud implemented additional security measures across affected systems. These steps included stronger monitoring, improved threat detection, tighter identity and access controls, and expanded audit logging.
Some users experienced temporary VPN connectivity issues as a result of these upgrades. SoundCloud said teams are actively resolving those issues and balancing security improvements with platform stability.
The company also recommended that users enable multi factor authentication where available and stay alert for phishing attempts. While SoundCloud stated that user credentials were not exposed, adding security layers can reduce future risk.
This incident highlights ongoing challenges for digital platforms that rely on multiple supporting services. Even when core systems remain secure, peripheral tools can become entry points for attackers if not equally protected.
For the broader cybersecurity community, the breach serves as a reminder that public data still carries value for threat actors. Creative and media platforms remain attractive targets due to their large user bases and brand recognition.
SoundCloud said it will continue to share updates if new findings emerge. For now, the company maintains that the SoundCloud data breach is resolved and that user trust and data protection remain a priority.
