Massive 4chan Hack: Source Code, User Data Leaked by Rival Forum
April 15, 2025
As of now, 4chan has not issued any official statements regarding the outage or breach, although its front page remains accessible globally.
While speculation circulated about the presence of moderators with .gov emails, Jared Holt, a US extremism expert, dismissed rumors of leaked email addresses from US universities or government employees as lacking credibility.
As users flocked to Soyjak Party, they reported difficulties adapting to its culture, highlighting the impact of the breach on 4chan's community.
Despite the severity of the hack, experts caution against prematurely declaring the end of 4chan, suggesting that rebuilding a more secure version could take months.
Users are advised to exercise caution with any links or files claiming to be from 4chan, as the potential for phishing risks has increased.
On April 14, 2025, thousands of users reported outages on 4chan, amid claims that the site had been hacked, with a rival forum, Soyjak Party, allegedly leaking its source code, moderator identities, and users' IP addresses.
The rival imageboard claimed responsibility for the breach, sharing screenshots that suggested access to 4chan's databases and administrative tools.
Concerns were raised about the outdated PHP version used by 4chan, as evidence of long-deprecated functions in the leaked screenshots indicated that the site was unpatched and vulnerable.
The event gained traction on social media, with notable posts on X (formerly Twitter) receiving widespread engagement, indicating significant public interest.
The leak poses a significant risk to individuals associated with 4chan, even those not directly involved in illicit activities, as it could expose personal information.
The hack raises concerns about user privacy and security, particularly given 4chan's history of hosting controversial content and its vulnerability due to years of inadequate maintenance.
Overall, the breach highlights the precarious nature of online anonymity and the potential for significant repercussions in the wake of such a security failure.
Summary based on 17 sources
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Sources

TechCrunch • Apr 15, 2025
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