• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Digital News Updates
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business

Montana Attorney General Launches Investigation into Lee Enterprises Following Cyberattack

June 23, 2025

Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen announced Friday that his office has opened an investigation into Lee Enterprises following a February cyberattack that compromised the personal information of nearly 40,000 employees and subscribers, including an undisclosed number of Montanans.

Lee Enterprises, based in Davenport, Iowa, owns several major newspapers in Montana, including the Helena Independent Record, Billings Gazette, Missoulian, Montana Standard, and Ravalli Republic. The company also operates other publications and digital news platforms nationwide.

The breach, which occurred on February 3, temporarily disrupted both digital and print operations. Hackers reportedly stole sensitive customer and employee data during the incident.

“Identity theft associated with data breaches threatens Montanans’ financial security,” Attorney General Knudsen said in a statement. “It is my job as Attorney General to protect Montanans by ensuring companies that collect and store our personal and financial information do so responsibly and comply with all applicable laws.”

Although Montana law requires companies to report data breaches affecting state residents to the Montana Department of Justice’s Consumer Protection Office, the Lee Enterprises incident has not appeared on the office’s public data breach list. A department spokesperson confirmed, however, that Lee submitted the required notification.

The Attorney General’s office has issued a civil investigative demand seeking a detailed account from Lee Enterprises. The company has until July 18 to respond.

Lee Enterprises said it plans to fully cooperate with the investigation.

Knudsen’s office emphasized that the investigation aims to determine whether Lee Enterprises complied with Montana’s data protection and consumer notification laws. If violations are found, the company could face legal or financial consequences under state consumer protection statutes.

By: Politics406 staff

Filed Under: Featured, Home Featured, News

Related Articles:

  • Gianforte Welcomes Semiconductor Firm to Montana
  • Knudsen Leads 23-State Coalition Urging EPA to Stop Funding Climate Advocacy Group
  • Montana AG Leads 22-State Coalition Asking Supreme Court to Hear Parental Rights Case
  • Trump HHS tells states to remove gender ideology from sex ed or lose PREP funding
  • Bozeman-Based Texbase Launches Advisory Board,
  • Carter County Man Charged With Sexual Abuse of Children

Primary Sidebar

Digital News Updates Logo

Recent News Posts

  • Montana State opens quantum computing facility
  • Montana Historical Society Revives Lecture Series, Launches Statewide Book Club
  • Carter County Man Charged With Sexual Abuse of Children
  • Montana State Auditor Warns of Rising Cryptocurrency ATM Scams

Recent Politics Posts

  • Knudsen Leads 23-State Coalition Urging EPA to Stop Funding Climate Advocacy Group
  • Montana Delegation Urges President Trump to Impose Tariffs on Russian Palladium
  • Montana AG Leads 22-State Coalition Asking Supreme Court to Hear Parental Rights Case
  • Governor Little Signs Executive Order to Streamline State Government

Recent Business Posts

  • Montana State opens quantum computing facility
  • Warren Buffett Marks 95th Birthday With Reflection on Legacy, Berkshire’s Future
  • Montana Commerce Department Launches New Loan Program for Rural Businesses
  • CNBC Ranks North Dakota Most Business-Friendly State for Fourth Straight Year

Copyright © 2025 Digital News Updates, All Rights Reserved.