By Ben Grubb
Optus says it mistakenly released an undisclosed number of customers’ names, mobile numbers and addresses to Sensis, which led to them being published in the White Pages.
The details exposed were of those who requested their number be kept silent, or private.
Optus exposed many customers' private details.
The telco, which began notifying customers about the issue last week, said it discovered the problem in April and took immediate steps to remove customers’ details from the White Pages online. But it says some customers’ information still appears in print editions of the phone book.
“Optus can confirm that a system configuration error has resulted in the numbers of some pre-paid mobile and mobile broadband customers being incorrectly listed in the White Pages,” the telco said in a statement to Fairfax Media on Friday afternoon. “All necessary steps have been taken to ensure personal information has been removed from online and operator-assisted directory listing services and from all future hard-copy editions of the White Pages.”
A portion of the letter Optus sent customers
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Optus refused to disclose to Fairfax how many customers were affected. At least three customers have reported on broadband forum Whirlpool being sent a letter about the issue.
“How incompetent can Optus get!” said one user on the forum.
“I'm a bit stressed that any random can type my name or mobile number and find where I live!”
“Not really good enough to just say ‘we are sorry’,” said another.
Optus said it had now fixed the issue that was causing private details to be sent to Sensis and was arranging a change of mobile number for customers affected, with all fees to do so waived.
“Optus is focused on making things better for our customers, which means being honest and transparent about our mistakes and fixing them when they occur,” the company said.
“Optus apologises to all customers who have been affected by this mistake.
“Customers who wish to change their number or speak directly with Optus about this matter should contact us on 1800 103 941 (Monday to Friday 9am-5pm AEST).”
The issue follows hundreds of thousands of Optus accounts being left vulnerable to phone hacking of voicemails, in a security flaw revealed by an 18-year-old university student.