Ikea’s odd jobs marketplace TaskRabbit is back online today, after a “cyber-security incident” on Monday.
The handyman app allows people to find freelance workers to complete household tasks such as cleaning, gardening or assembling flat-pack furniture.
The company says an “unauthorised user gained access to our systems” and “certain personally identifiable information may have been compromised”.
It pledged to notify any customer who had their data accessed in the attack.
The TaskRabbit app and website were closed on Monday and Tuesday. And the company said it was working with law enforcement and a cyber-security company to investigate.
“This is not the last time you will hear from us,” said Stacy Brown-Philpot, TaskRabbit’s chief executive, who said the company had been working “around the clock” over the past few days to investigate the matter and get its service back online.
“Our Taskers and Clients are the lifeblood of our business,” she said. “We care deeply about our community and are committed to being a better neighbor. With our website and apps back online, we hope you will give us the opportunity to regain your trust.”
The company has advised people to change their passwords on other websites and apps, if they have used their TaskRabbit password for other accounts.
Ikea bought San Francisco-based TaskRabbit in 2017, although it is operated as an independent company within the Ikea Group.
The app was founded in 2008 by Leah Busque, who came up with the idea of a chore-hiring company when she ran out of food for her dog one evening, while waiting to go out to dinner, and wished there was someone she could call on to help.