Hungarian Tisza supporters mapped online – Fidesz politician visited one person’s home: Data leak scandal deepens
The scandal surrounding personal data leaked from the Tisza Party’s mobile application continues to escalate. In October, the personal details of around 200,000 registered users — including names, home addresses, email addresses and even geographic coordinates — became public. Now, these data have been turned into an interactive map, allowing users to search street-by-street or even house-by-house for people who used the Tisza Világ app, or to look up individuals by name and address.
This type of listing raises not only data protection concerns but serious personal safety risks. The combination of political affiliation and home address constitutes a category of sensitive personal data that should be protected — not displayed on a public map.
We do not publish the link to this site and strongly advise against attempting to access it. The National Authority for Data Protection and Freedom of Information (NAIH) has made it clear: even news articles that include a link to the leaked database could be unlawful (as seen in the case of Magyar Nemzet).
A dangerous precedent: When political preference is linked to home address
The map can easily facilitate targeted harassment or intimidation. If someone knows exactly where a political opponent lives, situations can escalate quickly to personal confrontation.
This is not a theoretical risk:
Balázs Németh, spokesperson of the Fidesz parliamentary group and a media personality, recently appeared in a video outside the home of a Tisza Party activist, implying that he knew the person’s address. The individual in question perceived the incident as a threat.
There was no explicit verbal threat, but the message conveyed was clear: “We know where you live.”
According to legal experts cited by Telex, such actions may constitute misuse of personal data. If the intent is intimidation, it may even amount to a criminal offence.
Pro-government media published names
The leaked database was initially referenced by pro-government media outlets, several of which highlighted alleged users by name. Magyar Nemzet, Mandiner, and multiple regional Fidesz-aligned newspapers published articles listing individuals supposedly included.
However, no proof was provided that all those mentioned actually used the app. Several public figures and journalists have already stated that they never registered for Tisza Világ at all.
It is important to reiterate: we do not link to these pages, especially when doing so would further distribute leaked personal data.
NAIH: Publishing the leaked data may also be unlawful
The data protection authority has issued a clear position:
- If a political party fails to properly protect personal data, it is a violation of the law.
- If someone obtains and publishes those data, that is also a violation.
- If the media share links or even indirect references that enable access to the leaked dataset, that too may be unlawful.
NAIH has launched an investigation into the Tisza Party and may also take action against those who misused the data.
Vulnerability and loss of trust
One of the most serious consequences of the case is the potential chilling effect on political engagement.
If registering as a supporter, signing up for newsletters or participating in political communities becomes risky, civic participation may weaken.
Several affected individuals have already expressed fear and uncertainty, and many worry about possible workplace or social repercussions.
What happens next?
While the NAIH investigation is ongoing, the Tisza Party has also launched its own internal inquiry. Legal and criminal proceedings may follow against those who misused the leaked data.
This case goes far beyond a technical failure. It highlights how personal information can be weaponised in politics in the digital age — and how thin the line can be between political debate and intimidation.
Oh no!
News organisation, that wrote to people, telling them they want to publish their response published their response, that included them stating their own names in the mail. Somebody publicizing what they told they will, before getting the response. Oh the humanity!
It’s almost as bad as Tisza not protecting their privacy, and causing the leak in the first place…. or not.
Can’t we just agree, that Tisza made a mistake, that causes foreign intel agencies to have a leverage on prominent figures, and as such caused a national security issue? Can we just agree to that, and work together to mitigate the damage, rather then going to conspiracy-theory-land, or is the opposition too hate filled to accept help saving themselves?
You would think, Dear Márk, that Tisza Party leaders, posing as Hungary’s foremost intellectuals operating in the political realm, would be aware that everything communicated on an electronic medium is tatamount to shouting in the public square.