Gap Inc. reports applicant data theft

SAN FRANCISCO Gap Inc. today announced that a laptop containing the personal information of certain job applicants was recently stolen from the offices of an experienced third-party vendor that manages job applicant data for the company.

According to the company, the laptop contained personal information for approximately 800,000 people who applied online or by phone for store positions at one of Gap Inc.’s brands between July 2006 and June 2007. The company added that contrary to its agreement with the vendor, the information on the laptop was not encrypted.

Gap Inc. said that it has begun notifying affected applicants and is offering them support in the form of free credit monitoring and a 24-hour helpline.

"Gap Inc. deeply regrets this incident occurred. We take our obligation to protect the data security of personal information very seriously,” said Gap Inc. chairman and ceo Glenn Murphy. “What happened here is against everything we stand for as a company. We’re reviewing the facts and circumstances that led to this incident closely, and will take appropriate steps to help prevent something like this from happening again.”