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Uber Covered Up Massive Data Breach
Uber the global cab aggregator, covered up a major data breach which occurred in October 2016 by paying the hackers $ 100,000. The breach exposed the data of some 57 million accounts of the ride service provider. The personal information of about 7 million drivers along with the license information of 600,000 US drivers was also stolen. However, the company claims the information was never used by the hackers.
Uber’s new CEO, Dara Khosrowshahi said the employees responsible for handling the data breach were fired for covering up the incident after the matter was brought to his attention. “None of this should have happened and I will not make excuses for it,” he said in a blog post on the company website. “While I can’t erase the past, I can commit on behalf of every Uber employee that we will learn from our mistakes,” he added.
Last year, Uber faced multiple scandals including sexual harassment allegations, a lawsuit alleging trade secrets theft and multiple federal criminal probes. At the time of the hack, Uber was negotiating with US regulators investigating separate claims of privacy violations. The company, according to Bloomberg, had a legal obligation to report the hack to regulators and to drivers whose license numbers were taken.
Two hackers gained access to GitHub and all the proprietary information used by Uber including names, email addresses and mobile phone numbers of Uber users around the world. New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman launched an investigation into the hack on Tuesday. A customer also sued the company for negligence over the breach on behalf of the users affected, seeking a class action status.
Uber’s Chief Security Officer Joe Sullivan and a deputy Craig Clark were the two employees fired for their role in hiding the security incident. VCCircle reported, Kalanick was informed about the breach a month later. A board committee tasked with investigating the breach concluded neither Kalanick nor Uber’s general counsel of the time, Salle Yoo, were involved in the decision to not disclose the stolen data.
In an attempt to restructure the security teams and processes, Matt Olsen, former General Counsel of the US National Security Agency, was hired by the company. At the same time, cybersecurity firm owned by FireEye Inc., (FEYE.O,) Mandiant, will be investigating the security breach.
Rozana, India’s leading rural retail platform, has secured ₹290 crore ($35 million) in a Series B funding round led by Bertelsmann India Investments (BII), with participation from Omidyar Network India, Vivid Capital, and Tana Investment Holding. This Rozana funding brings its total capital to over ₹500 crore, fueling hyperlocal expansion in underserved rural markets. Founded in 2021 by brothers Prashant and Prateek Chauhan, the startup’s phygital model blends micro-stores, app-based ordering, and last-mile delivery to connect 5 million+ users in 12 states with brands like ITC and HUL.
The ₹290 crore investment will supercharge Rozana’s rural omnichannel retail strategy, targeting 5x growth in 18 months. Plans include adding 5,000 micro-stores in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Rajasthan; AI-powered inventory tech; and new categories like groceries and electronics. By empowering 20,000+ rural micro-entrepreneurs, Rozana taps into India’s $700 billion rural retail boom, where smartphone penetration and UPI drive 12% annual growth.
This Rozana Series B milestone positions it as a frontrunner against rivals like Ninjacart, eyeing unicorn status by 2028 amid ONDC tailwinds. CEO Prashant Chauhan emphasized, “We’re building rural prosperity through accessible premium brands.” For more on Rozana funding news and rural retail trends, stay updated on India’s startup ecosystem.
Peak XV Partners has launched three new funds totaling $1.3 billion, targeting India’s booming startup ecosystem. The lineup features the $600M Surge fund (8th edition) for early-stage ventures, a $300M Growth Fund for Series B+ scaling, and a $400M Acceleration Fund for rapid portfolio expansion. This commitment arrives as India’s VC inflows rebound, with AI and fintech leading 2026 trends.
These funds build on Peak XV’s legacy of backing unicorns like Zomato and Pine Labs, offering founders capital plus strategic guidance amid post-winter recovery. Early-stage deals surged 20% last year per Tracxn, positioning Peak XV to fuel the next wave of innovation in SaaS, climate tech, and consumer plays.
For startups eyeing Peak XV new funds or Surge fund 2026 applications, this signals prime opportunities. Investors and marketers should watch for deployment updates India remains a global VC hotspot.
Hyderabad, January 13, 2026 Neeman’s, India’s leading D2C footwear brand famed for sustainable shoes and patented PIXLL® technology, has raised $4 million from existing investors. This funding boosts its cumulative capital past $10 million since 2015, with a post-money valuation nearing $50 million. CEO Vijay Chahoria emphasized offline retail as the “next frontier,” planning 50+ new stores in Tier 2/3 cities like Jaipur and Lucknow to blend eco-friendly innovation with hands-on customer experiences.
In India’s booming D2C ecosystem where footwear sales hit ₹1.2 lakh crore in 2025 Neeman’s targets hybrid retail amid high online CAC and 25-30% returns. Backed by vegan, machine-washable shoes priced ₹2,000-4,000, the brand leverages PIXLL® (5x more breathable than leather) for carbon-neutral comfort. Recent 5x revenue growth to ₹100 crore ARR, 1M+ pairs sold via Myntra and stores, and awards at India D2C Summit 2025 position it ahead of rivals like Paaduks.
Neeman’s offline expansion India eyes the $15B sustainable footwear market by 2028, fueled by PLI schemes, Gen Z’s 70% eco-preference (Nielsen), and Southeast Asia exports. Challenges like real estate costs are offset by data-driven inventory and omnichannel QR tech. Watch for Q1 2026 launches in Hyderabad and Bengaluru redefining D2C success through authentic, “Wear the Change” branding.
Apple MacBook Air M5 Launched: M5 Chip, 22-Hour Battery in India
₹290 Crore Boost: Rozana’s Series B Funding Scales Rural Retail Network Nationwide
