Qantas Data Breach: Maurice Blackburn Seeks Compensation for Affected Customers
In a significant development following the serious data breach at Qantas on June 30, legal firm Maurice Blackburn is pursuing compensation for nearly six million customers whose personal information was compromised. They have lodged a complaint with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC), alleging that Qantas did not take adequate steps to protect the personal data of its customers.
The hack, originating at a call centre in Manila, allowed cybercriminals to access a third-party customer service platform, exposing the data of approximately 5.7 million customers.
Elizabeth O’Shea, a principal lawyer at Maurice Blackburn, revealed that the complaint was submitted to the OAIC late yesterday. This authority is responsible for addressing breaches of the Privacy Act. O’Shea encouraged affected customers to register with Maurice Blackburn for updates regarding the complaint and potential compensation opportunities, assuring that the registration process is free and non-obligatory.
O’Shea stated, “While we await the OAIC’s action regarding Qantas’s inadequate protection of personal data, we urge affected customers to register with us to receive the latest information on the complaint and compensation possibilities.” She also emphasised that the details around this mass data breach are still unfolding.
In a related move, Qantas has sought an interim injunction from the NSW Supreme Court to prevent the publication of the stolen data, asserting that they are committed to safeguarding their customers’ personal information. Current reports indicate that there has been no evidence of the compromised data being released, although Qantas is closely monitoring the situation with cybersecurity experts.
The injunction will prevent re-publication of any stolen data if it surfaces on the dark web. According to Qantas, the breach impacted 5.7 million customers, with 4 million affected by the loss of their names, email addresses, and frequent flyer details. Out of the remaining 1.7 million customers impacted, 1.3 million had their residential and business addresses leaked, while 1.1 million suffered exposure of their dates of birth. Other personal details compromised included 900,000 phone numbers, 400,000 gender identities, and 10,000 meal preferences.
Notably, the data breach did not involve any credit card details, personal financial information, or passport information. Customers have been cautioned to remain vigilant against potential scams and are urged to report any suspicious activity to Scamwatch.
For ongoing updates about this serious data breach issue and the necessary steps to protect their personal information, affected Qantas customers are encouraged to consider registering with Maurice Blackburn as the situation continues to evolve.
