Canada: Another Police Service Cuts Ties with Crime Stoppers
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The Sault Ste. Marie Police Service in Ontario, Canada, announced on October 26, 2026, that it was suspending its partnership with Crime Stoppers following a data breach affecting the platform. Winnipeg Police made a similar decision on October 23, joining several other Canadian police services, including those in Toronto, Hamilton, Windsor and Ottawa.
An investigation by CBC revealed that the cybercriminal group Yiff Machine had stolen data relating to 1.5 million tips submitted to Crime Stoppers over the past 25 years. The hackers exfiltrated the information in March 2026. Yiff Machine claims its aim was to challenge assertions that the platform was “anonymous” and “secure.”
In a statement, the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service justified its decision by citing “the seriousness of this incident” and emphasized the need to protect the anonymity, privacy and safety of individuals who provide information to assist police investigations.