Excerpt from The Guardian Article, Published on September 26, 2025
Cybercriminals have targeted Kido, a global nursery chain operating across London, the US, and India, stealing sensitive data of around 8,000 children according to claims by the hacker group known as Radiant. The stolen information includes children’s names, photographs, addresses, and details about their parents and carers, along with safeguarding notes. The attackers have published some profiles on the dark web and are threatening to release more if Kido does not pay a ransom.
Kido operates 18 locations in the London area alone, alongside numerous nurseries across India, the US, and China. Despite repeated attempts to contact Kido for comment, the company has not issued a public statement, though it has informed parents. Cybersecurity experts have condemned the attack as an “absolute new low,” expressing concern at criminals targeting institutions responsible for children’s care. The National Cyber Security Centre described the breach as “deeply distressing” and emphasized the reprehensibility of using children’s data as leverage for ransom.
Additionally, some parents have received threatening calls from the hackers urging them to pressure Kido to meet ransom demands. This cruel tactic highlights the ruthlessness of the cybercriminals involved. Kido is cooperating with law enforcement as investigations continue. This incident underscores the critical importance of securing sensitive data in childcare settings and the growing threats against such vulnerable targets.
To delve deeper into this topic, see the Guardian article.
