Some of the 200,000 patient records that were gained through a hack of Athens Orthopedic Clinic in June may be for sale on the so-called “dark web,” according to a media report.

The clinic confirmed it was asked for a ransom to prevent release of the data, the Athens Banner-Herald reported.

The records could contain such personal information as Social Security numbers, birth dates, telephone numbers and, in some cases, diagnoses and medical histories, according to the report.

The “dark web” is an internet network that’s not indexed by search engines like Google.

About the Author

Keep Reading

An Atlanta police officer and detective stand in the parking lot of the Vivide nightclub on Marietta Boulevard following a fatal stabbing early Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025, in Blandtown. (Ben Hendren for the AJC)

Credit: Ben Hendren

Featured

Carleigh Knight (left) and her sister, Natalie Rogovin, look at Christmas ornaments while shopping at Kudzu Antiques + Modern in Decatur on Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025. (Natrice Miller/AJC)

Credit: Natrice Miller