2.5M Californians Exposed in Data Breaches

A state report reveals 2.5 million Californians have had Social Security numbers, credit card and bank accounts and other sensitive information exposed in 131 data breaches dating back to 2010.

The San Jose Mercury News says the disclosure was made Monday by Attorney General Kamala Harris, in the first report of its kind in the state.

The breaches occurred at companies ranging from Barnes & Noble to American Express, at banks and universities, and within government agencies.

Harris issued the report under a state law that went into effect last year that requires institutions that collect data to report any breaches involving more than 500 people.

The report says at least 1.4 million of those whose information was exposed could have been easily protected if the data had been encrypted.