Science & Tech · Cybersecurity · 2 hrs ago
Data leak exposes 128,000 email addresses linked to Vrienden van Amstel
A data leak exposed 128,000 email addresses linked to De Vrienden van Amstel Live and Amstel Live in de Kroeg.
The details belonged to people who had been contacted to take part in visitor surveys.
The leaked information may also include names, phone numbers, postcodes, gender and birth dates.
The leak happened at Cloudbear, a hosting company used by Abbi Insights, which carried out the surveys.
Heineken warned people to watch for phishing and other suspicious messages, including texts, WhatsApp messages and phone calls, and not to share passwords or verification codes.
It is not yet known whether the data was accessed, copied or misused; Heineken, Abbi Insights and Cloudbear have started an investigation, and Heineken has notified the Dutch data protection authority.
A data leak exposed 128,000 email addresses linked to De Vrienden van Amstel Live and Amstel Live in de Kroeg, NOS reported.
The information belonged to people approached for visitor research.
The data also included names, phone numbers, postcodes, gender and dates of birth.
Heineken warned affected people to watch for suspicious emails, texts, WhatsApp messages and phone calls.
Heineken, research firm Abbi Insights and hosting provider Cloudbear have started an investigation.
- Who
- People approached for visitor research connected to De Vrienden van Amstel Live and Amstel Live in de Kroeg.
- What
- A data leak exposed personal information, including email addresses. NOS reported 128,000 email addresses; NU.nl said the number of people affected was unknown.
- When
- The leak date is not stated. Those affected were informed by email the evening before the NOS report published on November 12, 2026.
- Where
- The leak occurred at Cloudbear, a hosting provider.
- Why
- The data was held in connection with visitor research conducted by Abbi Insights for the companies. The cause of the leak is not stated.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Heineken said the people concerned were informed by email and warned about suspicious messages.
NOS reported that Heineken, Abbi Insights and Cloudbear had started an investigation into the leak.
- Email addresses
- 128,000, according to NOS
- Affected data
- Names, phone numbers, postcodes, gender and dates of birth, as well as email addresses
- Hosting provider
- Cloudbear
- Research firm
- Abbi Insights
- Regulatory notification
- Heineken reported the leak to the Dutch Data Protection Authority
3 sources
What people are saying
We regret this very much.
The protection of personal data is a high priority for us, and we are looking at what additional measures are needed to limit the consequences and prevent a recurrence.