Russian police report AI use in pizza chain database attack

Police detained a suspect in Barnaul over an attack on a major pizza chain's database, Russian Interior Ministry spokeswoman Irina Volk said. She said the group used artificial intelligence to automate its cyberattacks.

Investigators believe the suspect used phishing and techniques to bypass security controls. Through virtual servers, he accessed order details, delivery addresses and customers' phone numbers with the intention of copying and selling the information, Volk said.

The ministry assesses that AI tools cut attack preparation from weeks to hours. Volk said information collected about the group's methods would help improve protection against similar threats.

A criminal case has been opened under Part 3 of Article 272.1 of the Criminal Code, covering the illegal handling of computer information containing personal data. The suspect has been placed under house arrest.

Searches yielded software and devices believed to have been used in the offence. Volk said the group's infrastructure had been dismantled. Police are continuing to seek accomplices and identify other alleged offences.