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2024 Linear — production database migration error caused multi-hour window of workspace data loss; most data restored from backup

2024 Unknown records affected Share on X

Data compromised

Customer workspace records active during the incident window until restoration—not a traditional external intrusion.

Technical writeup

Linear published a detailed post-mortem describing a failed production migration that cascaded deletes in Postgres, prompting maintenance mode and backup restoration; the company summarized prevention changes around migration review and database privileges.

Root cause

Missed cascade semantics in a database migration deployed to production (per Linear incident write-up).

References