Fresh legal action launched over Optus data hack

Telco giant Optus is facing a fresh class action over the major cyber attack that resulted in the personal data of millions of customers being stolen.

Telco giant Optus is facing a class action over a major cyber attack that affected millions of customers.

More than two million customers had personal data stolen in the September attack, including passport numbers, drivers’ licence numbers and Medicare numbers.

It prompted investigations involving the FBI, Federal Police, The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner and the Australian Communications and Media Authority.

Law firm Slater and Gordon on Friday confirmed it had issued proceedings against the company in the Federal Court on behalf of affected customers.

More than 100,000 affected customers have already signed up to the legal battle which accuses Optus of:

Failing to protect or take reasonable steps to protect customers’ personal information from unauthorised access or disclosure;

Failing to destroy or de-identify former customers’ personal information; and

Failing to ensure that only those who had a legitimate reason for having access to customers’ personal information could access it.

Slater and Gordon Class Actions Practice Group Leader Ben Hardwick said group members would seek compensation for losses the data breach caused, including time and money spent replacing identity documents as well as for non-economic losses such as distress, frustration and disappointment.

“Very real risks were created by the disclosure of this private information that Optus customers had every right to believe was securely protected by their telecommunications and internet provider,” Mr Hardwick said.

“The type of information made accessible put affected customers at a higher risk of being scammed and having their identities stolen, and Optus should have had adequate measures in place to prevent that.

“Concerningly, the data breach has also potentially jeopardised the safety of a large number of particularly vulnerable groups of Optus customers, such as victims of domestic violence, stalking and other crimes, as well as those working in frontline occupations including the defence force and policing.”

More information about the action can be found here.