Darknet Diaries Ep 49: Elliot
11 snips
Oct 15, 2019 
In this discussion, Robert Baptiste, known as Elliot Alderson, reveals his journey as a security researcher who channels a fictional but relatable hacking persona. He shares the story behind breaching the Donald Daters app and exposing significant vulnerabilities in India's Aadhaar system. The conversation dives into the ethics of vulnerability discovery, including the balancing act between accountability and transparency in the cybersecurity world. Baptiste also emphasizes the importance of constructive dialogue with tech companies to improve security practices.
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Donald Daters Hack
- Elliot Alderson hacked the Donald Daters app, a dating app for Trump supporters, in five minutes.
- He found the Firebase URL and keys in the app's code, granting him access to the entire user database.
Intentions Behind the Hack
- Elliot Alderson's actions were questioned regarding his intent behind exposing the Donald Daters vulnerability.
- He defended his actions, stating his goal was to help the company and its users, not act maliciously.
Company's Response
- After the Donald Daters incident, the company privately and publicly thanked Elliot Alderson.
- They acknowledged their mistake and expressed relief that the vulnerability was discovered early on.