Photo: screengrab from the official website of Brasil 247

By Brasil 247 - Chinese mobility company 99, owned by tech giant Didi, has launched an internal investigation into data breach in Brazil, media reported. The company reported that strategic and confidential information may have been compromised through unauthorized access, laptop thefts, and harassment of employees by individuals posing as consultants. The case was first reported by Valor Econômico.

According to 99, there is evidence that sensitive business data—such as expansion plans for 99Food, contracts with restaurant partners, and growth strategies in Brazil—may have been illegally obtained. 99 will not tolerate any form of misconduct involving internal data acquired illegally and will take the necessary legal measures, according to the company.

Coordinated approaches and digital breaches

The company's internal report indicates that hundreds of employees were contacted by alleged consulting firms offering between $200 and $1,000 to participate in "market research" sessions that were actually attempts to extract confidential information. Many employees reportedly received multiple messages per day, suggesting a coordinated effort to infiltrate the company's internal operations.

99 also recorded thefts of corporate laptops belonging to key staff members, including those directly linked to senior management. The firm claims to have detected daily hacking attempts targeting its internal systems and application, prompting the adoption of stronger cybersecurity measures.

Growing tension in Brazil's delivery market

The investigation comes amid rising competition and legal disputes in Brazil's mobility and delivery sector. Last week, São Paulo's Civil Police executed search and seizure warrants in the capital and in the city of Sorocaba as part of an investigation into alleged unfair competition involving former employees of another delivery platform in Brazil.

The cases, which involve accusations of qualified theft, breach of trust, and violation of professional secrets, are being handled under judicial secrecy.

99, founded in 2012 and acquired by Didi Chuxing in 2018, remains one of Brazil's leading ride-hailing and food delivery platforms. The ongoing probe highlights growing concerns about data security and competitive integrity in the country's tech and mobility markets.

(Reported by Brasil 247 on October 30, 2025)