Fired Disney employee allegedly hacked into company system to change allergy info on menus

A former employee of a large entertainment company allegedly hacked into the company's servers to modify its restaurant menus, including falsifying allergen information and adding profane language. This criminal complaint was filed in a federal court, though the company is not directly named within the document.

The company reportedly identified and corrected all altered menus before they were distributed to eateries. The complaint highlights that a former menu production manager, previously dismissed for misconduct, is accused of executing cyberattacks on the company's proprietary software responsible for menu creation and distribution. 

It is alleged that post-termination, the ex-employee accessed these servers numerous times to disrupt content by changing prices, inserting inappropriate language, and altering allergen details, which posed a health risk to those with specific allergies. Despite the allegations, the individual denies any wrongdoing, claiming an attempt by the company to frame him due to the circumstances surrounding his dismissal.

The defendant's legal representative suggests these claims recognize that no injuries resulted from the alterations. Furthermore, issues related to mental health and employment conditions have been raised, mentioning a complaint filed by the accused with appropriate bodies in response.

Following an internal investigation in July, the company discovered menu changes rendering the system unusable. The disruptions led to a reliance on manual processes for a week. The accused allegedly altered text fonts, causing significant operational issues, and disabled multiple employee accounts by manipulating login attempts.

Additionally, QR codes directing users towards boycotting certain businesses were found, though they were removed before menu distribution. The organization estimates costs of at least $150,000 due to these cyberattacks.