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The Ministry of Education (MOE) in Singapore is taking decisive action to remove the Mobile Guardian app from students’ devices following a significant global cybersecurity breach. The breach, which occurred on August 4, 2024, affected approximately 13,000 students, resulting in unauthorized access that led to the remote wiping of data on students’ iPads and Chromebooks.
The breach came to light when numerous schools reported that students could not access applications and stored information on their devices. Upon investigation, Mobile Guardian confirmed that the incident was part of a broader cybersecurity attack impacting several regions globally, including Singapore.
In an immediate response to safeguard students, MOE announced the removal of the Mobile Guardian app from all student devices. The ministry is working diligently to restore affected devices to their normal functionality. Additionally, MOE is exploring alternative methods to manage device usage and support students’ learning needs during this interim period. To assist affected students, MOE is deploying extra IT support and providing additional learning resources.
This incident is not the first cybersecurity issue linked to Mobile Guardian. In April 2024, a data breach at Mobile Guardian’s headquarters compromised the personal information of parents and staff across 127 MOE schools. More recently, in July 2024, students reported technical issues with the app, including connectivity problems and loss of saved data, further raising concerns about the platform’s reliability and security.
MOE’s prompt actions reflect its commitment to ensuring student safety and data security. The ministry is collaborating closely with schools and cybersecurity experts to mitigate risks and prevent future breaches. By prioritizing a secure digital learning environment, MOE aims to maintain trust and provide uninterrupted educational support to students during this challenging period. This comprehensive approach underscores MOE’s dedication to protecting student information and maintaining the integrity of educational tools amidst increasing cybersecurity threats worldwide.