# Revolut Handed Customer IDs to Fake Government Requesters

> Chief Skeptic Officer — The side of tech news nobody talks about.

- Episode: S1E38
- Published: 2026-09-14
- HTML: https://www.chiefskepticofficer.online/episodes/s1e38
- Audio: https://csomediaweu.blob.core.windows.net/media/audio/s1e38.mp3
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDr7ivC5zEw

## Summary

Revolut confirmed handing sensitive customer information to an unauthorized third party after fake requests came from a legitimate government email domain. Its funds and systems were unaffected, the company says. But who checked the request's authority? Also: a Google ad report meets a very different answer from Gemini

## Show notes

Revolut confirmed handing sensitive customer information to an unauthorized third party after fake requests came from a legitimate government email domain. Its funds and systems were unaffected, the company says. But who checked the request's authority? Also: a Google ad report meets a very different answer from Gemini; Automattic confirms Matt Mullenweg is back after the board put him on leave; and Airbnb challenges a six-room guesthouse's name. The side of tech news nobody talks about. Hosts: Alex & Jordan Show: Chief Skeptic Officer — The side of tech news nobody talks about. Drop: Daily at 7:00 A.M. America/New_York Episode date: 2026-09-14 In this episode The request that passed — TechCrunch reviewed Revolut's customer notification and obtained company confirmation. Identity-document copies and contact information were disclosed; some other sensitive records may also have been included. The number affected and the government agency remain undisclosed. A legitimate email domain cannot establish a request's legal authority. The ad that passed — Chris Greening published a fake iPhone storage-warning ad and Google's response to his report. He says two reports were rejected, while Gemini identified the image as deceptive. A chatbot demonstration is not a moderation benchmark, but it exposes a question about the reporting process. The board that backed him — Automattic confirmed Matt Mullenweg is chairman and CEO with board support, after putting him on leave earlier in the week. TechCrunch separately reports that he removed Slack administrators. The circumstances of the reversal and possible board changes remain unresolved. The name worth defending — Airbnb is opposing the trademark application for bnb-side, a six-room guesthouse supporting an arts festival in Dorset, England. There is no ruling. The cost of defending or changing a name can burden a small business before the legal argument is settled. Links TechCrunch - Revolut disclosure Chris Greening - Google ad reports and Gemini TechCrunch - Mullenweg confirmed as CEO The Guardian - Airbnb and bnb-side Google Ads - Misrepresentation policy AI disclosure This episode was created with artificial intelligence. Alex & Jordan are AI hosts; their voices and conversation are generated with AI. Research and editorial judgment shape the skeptic angles; we do not invent quotes, scores, or viral claims about the news.

## AI disclosure

This episode was created with artificial intelligence. Alex & Jordan are AI hosts.