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Richard Smith is out as Equifax CEO

September 26th, 2017  |  Canadian Business

Less than three weeks after the major Equifax data breach, CEO Richard Smith stepped down from his role at the credit-reporting agency after 12 years at the helm. The hack on their systems led to over 140 million Americans, 400,000 of those in the United Kingdom, and 100,000 Canadians having their personal information exposed. Smith’s departure follows the departure of two other high-ranking executives.

The hacking of their systems, and exposure of their customers social insurance numbers, social security numbers, and other personal data, have lead to multiple inquiries and class action lawsuits. Smith was set to appear in two congressional hearings in the first week of October.

"A CEO walking out the door just days before he is to appear before Congress is an abdication of his responsibility. This company has jeopardized the financial health and security of 143 million people, and they need to be held responsible. So I fully expect Mr. Smith to testify before the banking committee next week, regardless of the timing of his retirement," said Senator Brian Schatz of Hawaii.

Paulino do Rego Barros Jr., formally the president of the Asia Pacific region, has been named interim CEO, and board member Mark Feidler has been appointed as non-executive chairman. Equifax claims that they will be looking both inside and outside the company for a new permanent CEO.