Millions of Customer Data Leaked from Telecom Optus and Shopping Mall MyDeal
Cybersecurity Meeting Canceled After Thousands of Businesspeople Apply Amid Hacking Fears
Australian health insurance company Medibank announced on the 25th (local time) that personal health information of 3.9 million customers was leaked due to a data hacking incident in its network. Photo by AP Yonhap News
[Asia Economy Reporter Bang Je-il] Following the hacking incidents involving Australia's second-largest mobile carrier and a major online shopping mall, which resulted in the leakage of millions of customers' information, a large health insurance company has now experienced a data breach affecting 3.9 million customers.
On the 26th (local time), according to local media such as The Australian, health insurance company Medibank announced in a statement that personal health information of 3.9 million customers was leaked due to a data hack on its network.
Medibank explained, "Hackers accessed and likely took customers' personal information and insurance claim data." There are concerns that sensitive health information, including customers' identities, diagnosed health conditions, and treatment details, were massively leaked. Medibank stated that it will provide monitoring services to detect identity theft and cover ID replacement costs for affected customers. It also added that its information technology (IT) systems are currently operating normally and insurance services are continuing as usual.
Local media reports indicate that Medibank did not have cyber attack insurance, so the financial damage is expected to be significant. Initially, strengthening system security and various customer support payments are projected to cost up to 35 million Australian dollars (approximately 32 billion KRW). Additionally, since the company has decided to postpone premium increases until this issue is resolved, and considering potential additional customer relief costs and possible lawsuits, expenses are expected to rise further. Following this news, Medibank's stock price plummeted more than 16% on the Australian stock market, causing further damage.
◆ Australian Government Plans to Increase Penalties to EU Levels
Recently, Australia has seen a series of large-scale customer data breaches due to hacking. Last month, Optus, Australia's second-largest mobile carrier, was hacked, leaking personal information of 9.8 million customers. This month, major online shopping mall MyDeal was attacked, resulting in the loss of information of 2.2 million customers. On the 24th, a cyber security conference with over 4,800 businesspeople participating online was canceled after hacking signs were detected. In 2019, ahead of the Australian federal election, the federal parliament's computer network and three major political parties were cyber-attacked, forcing related politicians and staff to change their passwords.
Amid the recent series of hacking incidents, more Australians are reissuing identification documents such as passports and driver's licenses out of concern that their personal information may be stolen.
In response to the ongoing hacking incidents, the Australian government is pushing to strengthen personal information protection laws by increasing penalties for companies negligent in protecting customer data to levels comparable to those in the European Union (EU). However, opinions remain divided within Australia regarding whether the government's measures will be effective against the continuing cyberattacks.
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