KrebsOnSecurity Threatened with Defamation Lawsuit over Fake Radaris CEO

KrebsOnSecurity, a cybersecurity news platform, faced threats of a defamation lawsuit after publishing an investigation revealing the true owners of the consumer data broker Radaris. The original owners, Dmitry and Igor Lubarsky from Massachusetts, were linked to various Russian-language dating services and people-search websites. Radaris, known for selling detailed background reports on individuals, has been accused of concealing its founders' identities and responding poorly to report removal requests. The attorney representing the Lubarsky brothers demanded a retraction of the story, claiming it was defamatory. The lawyer admitted that the CEO named by Radaris was a fabricated identity. Despite the threats, KrebsOnSecurity stood by its reporting and offered to correct any factual errors. The investigation uncovered a complex web of interconnected businesses and questionable practices involving the Lubarsky brothers and Radaris, including the use of fake names and misrepresentation to investors. The situation escalated with demands to remove the brothers' names from the story, highlighting the contentious nature of the allegations and legal threats surrounding Radaris and its founders.