Notorious internet forum 4chan has been hacked, resulting in a massive data breach that has exposed the personal information of moderators and users, including those with ties to alt-right movements. The hack, which occurred on Tuesday, has left the site intermittently down for hours, with users on social media reporting difficulties accessing the platform.

According to messages on a rival message board, the hacker responsible for the breach had been inside 4chan's system "for over a year," suggesting a sophisticated and targeted attack. Screenshots circulating online appear to show 4chan's backend, source code, and templates used to ban users, which would only be accessible to the site's moderators. The leaked data also includes a list of alleged 4chan moderators and "janitors," who are users with limited privileges to delete posts and threads.

TechCrunch reached out to several email addresses that were leaked and spoke to one of the people behind one of the email addresses, a 4chan janitor who wished to remain anonymous. The janitor confirmed that the leaked data and screenshots are "all real" and expressed concern about the potential consequences of the breach. "I've been most concerned with the leaked information, for obvious reasons," the janitor said. "I'd wager that the fact that 4chan was effectively taken over by a hacker(s) is probably 'worse' than screenshots, at least from the perspective of the site's continued operation."

The hack raises significant concerns about the potential exposure of individuals associated with 4chan, which has been linked to violent political movements and hate speech. The site's political boards have been known to radicalize young users into adopting white supremacist ideals, and its cultural exports have inspired real-world violence. The Christchurch mosque shooter, who murdered 51 people in 2019, was a regular 4chan user, and a 2022 mass shooter in Buffalo, New York, borrowed from the Christchurch shooter's online rhetoric.

The breach also highlights the risks of doxxing, a longstanding concern for 4chan users. Doxxing, or the practice of publishing personal information online, has been used to intimidate and harass individuals associated with the site. The janitor who spoke to TechCrunch acknowledged that the possibility of being exposed has always been a risk for 4chan moderators and users. "Doxxing is a longstanding pastime on 4chan, and the possibility that we could be exposed has always been there," the janitor said.

4chan did not respond to an email requesting comment sent to the site's press email address. The site's continued operation remains uncertain, with users and moderators left to wonder about the extent of the breach and the potential consequences for their personal safety.

The hack serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with online anonymity and the importance of robust cybersecurity measures. As the internet continues to grapple with the spread of hate speech and online radicalization, the 4chan breach highlights the need for greater accountability and transparency in the online community.