4chan Hacked: Outdated Security and Online Rivalries Spark Major Data Breach

On April 15, 2025, the infamous imageboard 4chan was hit by a massive cyberattack. Hackers gained access to sensitive internal data, including source code and user information. The attack is allegedly the work of rival forum Soyjak.party. Here's everything we know so far.

What Happened? The Timeline of the Attack

On the evening of April 15, 2025, 4chan users began reporting widespread outages and glitches across the platform. Soon after, messages like “U GOT HACKED” appeared on the resurrected /qa/ board. Evidence posted on Soyjak.party and other platforms indicated that hackers had accessed 4chan's backend systems and leaked internal data.

This included 4chan’s entire source code, IP addresses, and email addresses of moderators and paying users (source, source).

A user named "S0I1337" claimed responsibility for the breach on Soyjak.party, publishing the stolen data and announcing their success with a message on the reopened /qa/ board: “SOYJAK.PARTY WON #PACKWATCH.”

Who’s Behind the Attack?

The attack appears to have been orchestrated by Soyjak.party, a splinter forum created by former 4chan users. Known for its toxic community and extremist content, Soyjak.party has frequently clashed with 4chan, especially following the shutdown of the /qa/ board.

The main figure behind the breach, “S0I1337,” cited revenge for the removal of /qa/ as a motivation. The Anti-Defamation League has described Soyjak.party as an “ultrareactionary imageboard” filled with racist and antisemitic content (source).

Why Was 4chan Vulnerable?

One of the main factors that enabled the attack was 4chan’s outdated infrastructure. Reports indicate that the site hadn't received critical security updates since 2016. This left well-known vulnerabilities unpatched, making it relatively easy for attackers to gain access.

This kind of security negligence proved to be a ticking time bomb for a site that hosts millions of users and controversial content.

What Data Was Leaked?

The hackers published a large cache of sensitive data, including:

• The full source code of 4chan

• IP addresses and email addresses of moderators and paying users

• Internal chat logs and admin credentials

The leak raises serious concerns over the exposure of previously anonymous moderators, who may now be vulnerable to doxxing or real-world harassment (source).

Reactions and Possible Consequences

So far, 4chan has not released an official statement regarding the breach. A moderator instead posted an ambiguous and explicit video clip, further confusing the community (source).

Experts believe this hack could mark a turning point for the platform. The exposure of internal operations and user data could lead to legal consequences for the site's operators and a potential crackdown by law enforcement agencies.

Conclusion: Is This the End of 4chan As We Know It?

The April 2025 hack of 4chan by Soyjak.party may be the most serious crisis the platform has ever faced. A mix of neglected cybersecurity, bitter online rivalries, and the release of sensitive data has shaken its foundation.

Whether 4chan can recover from this breach—or whether it will fade into irrelevance—remains to be seen.