Police charge Highway 407 employee in data breach

An investigation was launched by the Federal Crimes Unit of the York police, resulting in the employee's arrest on Thursday.

In May 2018, the company in charge of operating the highway said that approximately 60,000 customers' personal information was stolen "some time over the past 12 months." The data included names, phone numbers and addresses.

Varun "Bobby" Saini, 37, is charged with mischief in relation to data and unauthorized use of a computer. The Toronto resident is set to make a court appearance on Nov. 15.

The Ontario Ministry of Transportation and the federal privacy commissioner have also been notified by the company.

The 407 ETR calls itself "the world’s first all-electronic, barrier-free toll highway." It stretches 108 kilometres and runs from Burlington to Pickering.

People with additional information are asked to call the York Regional Police financial crimes unit at 1-866-876-5423 ext. 6612 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.