A Franklin County judge has granted a temporary restraining order against cybersecurity expert Connor Goodwolf, who revealed the extent of a data breach affecting the city of Columbus. The city claims Goodwolf's actions have caused irreparable harm and widespread concern, while Goodwolf argues he was merely informing the public about the breach's severity.
Key Takeaways
A restraining order has been issued against cybersecurity expert Connor Goodwolf.
Goodwolf exposed the extent of a data breach affecting the city of Columbus.
The city claims Goodwolf's actions have caused irreparable harm and widespread concern.
Goodwolf argues he was informing the public about the breach's severity.
Background
The city of Columbus experienced a significant data breach in July, when the hacker group Rhysida claimed responsibility for stealing 6.5 terabytes of data. The city initially downplayed the severity of the breach, with Mayor Andrew Ginther stating that the stolen data was either corrupted or encrypted and therefore useless. However, cybersecurity expert Connor Goodwolf, who uses this name for interviews, contradicted these claims by revealing the types of personal information that were accessible on the dark web.
The Restraining Order
On Thursday, a Franklin County judge granted a temporary restraining order against Goodwolf, preventing him from accessing, downloading, or disseminating the city's stolen data. The city is seeking at least $25,000 in damages, with the total amount to be determined at trial. The restraining order is in effect for 14 days and also orders Goodwolf not to destroy or alter any information he has downloaded.
City Attorney Zach Klein emphasized that the restraining order is not about suppressing Goodwolf's First Amendment rights but about preventing the dissemination of sensitive information that could compromise public safety. Klein stated that Goodwolf's actions have caused "irreparable harm" and "widespread concern throughout the Central Ohio region."
Public Reaction
Goodwolf has been vocal about the city's mishandling of the data breach, providing detailed information to various media outlets. He has shown that the stolen data includes sensitive information such as the Columbus police crime matrix, which contains witness, victim, and suspect information from police reports over the last decade. This revelation has led to at least two lawsuits against the city for failing to protect personal information.
Attorney and crisis communications expert Mark Weaver questioned the effectiveness of targeting Goodwolf with a restraining order, noting that the information is already available on the dark web. Weaver argued that the city's actions might be more about damage control than public safety.
Legal Implications
The city has filed four claims for relief against Goodwolf: damages for criminal acts, invasion of privacy, negligence, and civil conversion. A final pretrial conference is scheduled for September 18, 2025. Goodwolf has indicated that he plans to hire a lawyer and may pursue legal action against the city, potentially leading to multiple lawsuits.
The restraining order against Connor Goodwolf has sparked a debate about the balance between public safety and the public's right to know. While the city argues that Goodwolf's actions have endangered lives and compromised investigations, Goodwolf contends that he was acting in the public interest by exposing the true extent of the data breach. The legal battle is far from over, and its outcome could have significant implications for cybersecurity and public transparency.
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Sources
City of Columbus sues expert who exposed extent of cyberattack | 10tv.com, 10TV.
Columbus granted temporary restraining order against cyber expert, The Columbus Dispatch.
Columbus gets restraining order to block cybersecurity expert from releasing data hack information | WOSU Public Media, WOSU Public Media.
Judge grants restraining order against cybersecurity expert who exposed extent of city's data breach | 10tv.com, 10TV.
Attorney reacts to city's lawsuit, restraining order against cybersecurity expert | 10tv.com, 10TV.
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