Optus, one of Australia`s largest telecommunications companies, learned last week that the personal data of about 10 million australian customers had been stolen. The company has described the theft of personal information of 40 percent of the country`s population as a "cyber attack". News from the BBC.
Some experts say this could be the biggest data theft in the country`s history.
This week saw some more dramatic events. These include ransom threats, tense situations, and verifying if it`s a case of hacking. It has also raised the question, how does Australia handle personal information and privacy?
Optus is a subsidiary of Singapore Telecommunication Limited. They revealed twenty-four hours after the incident that suspicious activities on the network had come to their notice. Australia`s second-largest telecom company said its former and current customers` data had been stolen. These include name, date of birth, phone number, e-mail address, passport number and driving license number. However, they claim that payment information and account passwords have not been hacked.
The country`s government has said that the identity of those whose passports or license numbers have been stolen is at risk of theft or fraud. This number is about 28 million. Optus is investigating the incident and has informed the police, financial institutions and the government`s relevant regulatory agencies.
According to local media, such a big theft took place from outside the country. Optus CHIEF Executive Kelly Bayer Rosemaryn expressed her emotional regret for the incident. He called it a "perfect attack". However, he claims that his company`s cyber security system is very strong.
JH
