In the aftermath of the large-scale data breach, two law firms are considering launching class action proceedings against telecommunications giant Optus.

In recent weeks, it was announced that the personal data of nearly 10 million Optus customers had been leaked.

Now, two leading law firms are among those expressing interest in organising a class action lawsuit against Optus.

Slater and Gordon is the first to consider the idea. Senior Associate, Ben Zocco, cited the fact that the circumstances leading up to the breach are, as of yet, largely unknown. He added that it could potentially lead to significant consequences for innocent customers, so legal options are being explored.

Law firms are considering a class action lawsuit. Source: ABC​

‘This is potentially the most serious privacy breach in Australian history, both in terms of the number of affected people and the nature of the information disclosed,’ Zocco said.

‘We consider that the consequences could be particularly serious for vulnerable members of society, such as domestic violence survivors, victims of stalking and other threatening behaviour, and people who are seeking or have previously sought asylum in Australia.’

‘Given the type of information that has been reportedly disclosed, these people can’t simply heed Optus’ advice to be on the lookout for scam emails and text messages.’

‘Very real risks are created by the disclosure of their personally identifiable information, such as addresses and phone numbers.’

Maurice Blackburn is also investigating potential legal action.

‘If you are a current or former Optus customer, you are eligible to register to receive updates about the class action investigation into any potential action and compensation which may be sought on your behalf.’ its website reads.

‘Registration is free. You do not need to pay anything to register for, or participate in, the potential class action.’

But as plans for a class action circulate, Optus’ parent company Singtel revealed on Monday that it would ‘vigorously defend’ any lawsuit.

Optus ‘lawyering up’ is a bad look to customers. Source: The Guardian​

Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones said pre-emptively engaging lawyers was a bad look for the company.

‘This is an unfortunate turn of events, they are making a bad situation worse.’ he criticised.

‘The Australian people want to see Optus deal with the crisis instead of engaging and briefing lawyers.’

Jones mentioned that the government expected the telco to compensate the bill for all of the documents caught up in the breach. Regardless, a class action lawsuit in full swing against Optus is very much likely to happen.

If it does, victims could be awarded damages for the time and cost of replacing identification documents.

CHOICE Consumer Data Advocate Kate Bower previously argued that the customers deserved compensation. However, the law didn’t mandate it.

‘There are two things to consider here, one (of) which is what does the law say on this issue? The law says that they don’t have to offer compensation. But I think the other point is, what does the customer expect?’ she said.

She described the data leaked in the breach as a ‘goldmine for identity theft’.

‘We know that a large number of people have been affected and that this is a serious breach in the type of information that has been compromised. It’s not just something that can be easily changed like your username or your password.’ she said.

‘Your passport or your driver’s licence number, your date of birth – these are key identification factors and are just a goldmine for identity theft. You can’t change your date of birth. To change some of them, you need to pay a cost.’

‘So, I think it’s completely fair that customers expect some sort of remedy from Optus and I think compensation, in this case, would be fair. I think we need to consider penalties as well.’

What are your thoughts about this article? Would you support a class action against Optus? Let us know in the comments below!

 

[Suzanne rose]

I would support it. Security has to be tightened but the Government also need to put in place security options for all companies.

I was reading an article where the government should give a key meaning if you have a licence , passport ect you have already given the necessary documents to get these, so there should be something given that allows us to take out loans, subscriptions to phone companies ect without actually giving them our passport , licence numbers that the key will be enough id

 

[Yaz]

In the aftermath of the large-scale data breach, two law firms are considering launching class action proceedings against telecommunications giant Optus.

In recent weeks, it was announced that the personal data of nearly 10 million Optus customers had been leaked.

Now, two leading law firms are among those expressing interest in organising a class action lawsuit against Optus.

Slater and Gordon is the first to consider the idea. Senior Associate, Ben Zocco, cited the fact that the circumstances leading up to the breach are, as of yet, largely unknown. He added that it could potentially lead to significant consequences for innocent customers, so legal options are being explored.

Law firms are considering a class action lawsuit. Source: ABC​

‘This is potentially the most serious privacy breach in Australian history, both in terms of the number of affected people and the nature of the information disclosed,’ Zocco said.

‘We consider that the consequences could be particularly serious for vulnerable members of society, such as domestic violence survivors, victims of stalking and other threatening behaviour, and people who are seeking or have previously sought asylum in Australia.’

‘Given the type of information that has been reportedly disclosed, these people can’t simply heed Optus’ advice to be on the lookout for scam emails and text messages.’

‘Very real risks are created by the disclosure of their personally identifiable information, such as addresses and phone numbers.’

Maurice Blackburn is also investigating potential legal action.

‘If you are a current or former Optus customer, you are eligible to register to receive updates about the class action investigation into any potential action and compensation which may be sought on your behalf.’ its website reads.

‘Registration is free. You do not need to pay anything to register for, or participate in, the potential class action.’

But as plans for a class action circulate, Optus’ parent company Singtel revealed on Monday that it would ‘vigorously defend’ any lawsuit.

Optus ‘lawyering up’ is a bad look to customers. Source: The Guardian​

Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones said pre-emptively engaging lawyers was a bad look for the company.

‘This is an unfortunate turn of events, they are making a bad situation worse.’ he criticised.

‘The Australian people want to see Optus deal with the crisis instead of engaging and briefing lawyers.’

Jones mentioned that the government expected the telco to compensate the bill for all of the documents caught up in the breach. Regardless, a class action lawsuit in full swing against Optus is very much likely to happen.

If it does, victims could be awarded damages for the time and cost of replacing identification documents.

CHOICE Consumer Data Advocate Kate Bower previously argued that the customers deserved compensation. However, the law didn’t mandate it.

‘There are two things to consider here, one (of) which is what does the law say on this issue? The law says that they don’t have to offer compensation. But I think the other point is, what does the customer expect?’ she said.

She described the data leaked in the breach as a ‘goldmine for identity theft’.

‘We know that a large number of people have been affected and that this is a serious breach in the type of information that has been compromised. It’s not just something that can be easily changed like your username or your password.’ she said.

‘Your passport or your driver’s licence number, your date of birth – these are key identification factors and are just a goldmine for identity theft. You can’t change your date of birth. To change some of them, you need to pay a cost.’

‘So, I think it’s completely fair that customers expect some sort of remedy from Optus and I think compensation, in this case, would be fair. I think we need to consider penalties as well.’

What are your thoughts about this article? Would you support a class action against Optus? Let us know in the comments below!

I am absolutely furious that such large companies could put their innocent customers identities at risk its so disappointing

 

[Yaz]

In the aftermath of the large-scale data breach, two law firms are considering launching class action proceedings against telecommunications giant Optus.

In recent weeks, it was announced that the personal data of nearly 10 million Optus customers had been leaked.

Now, two leading law firms are among those expressing interest in organising a class action lawsuit against Optus.

Slater and Gordon is the first to consider the idea. Senior Associate, Ben Zocco, cited the fact that the circumstances leading up to the breach are, as of yet, largely unknown. He added that it could potentially lead to significant consequences for innocent customers, so legal options are being explored.

Law firms are considering a class action lawsuit. Source: ABC​

‘This is potentially the most serious privacy breach in Australian history, both in terms of the number of affected people and the nature of the information disclosed,’ Zocco said.

‘We consider that the consequences could be particularly serious for vulnerable members of society, such as domestic violence survivors, victims of stalking and other threatening behaviour, and people who are seeking or have previously sought asylum in Australia.’

‘Given the type of information that has been reportedly disclosed, these people can’t simply heed Optus’ advice to be on the lookout for scam emails and text messages.’

‘Very real risks are created by the disclosure of their personally identifiable information, such as addresses and phone numbers.’

Maurice Blackburn is also investigating potential legal action.

‘If you are a current or former Optus customer, you are eligible to register to receive updates about the class action investigation into any potential action and compensation which may be sought on your behalf.’ its website reads.

‘Registration is free. You do not need to pay anything to register for, or participate in, the potential class action.’

But as plans for a class action circulate, Optus’ parent company Singtel revealed on Monday that it would ‘vigorously defend’ any lawsuit.

Optus ‘lawyering up’ is a bad look to customers. Source: The Guardian​

Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones said pre-emptively engaging lawyers was a bad look for the company.

‘This is an unfortunate turn of events, they are making a bad situation worse.’ he criticised.

‘The Australian people want to see Optus deal with the crisis instead of engaging and briefing lawyers.’

Jones mentioned that the government expected the telco to compensate the bill for all of the documents caught up in the breach. Regardless, a class action lawsuit in full swing against Optus is very much likely to happen.

If it does, victims could be awarded damages for the time and cost of replacing identification documents.

CHOICE Consumer Data Advocate Kate Bower previously argued that the customers deserved compensation. However, the law didn’t mandate it.

‘There are two things to consider here, one (of) which is what does the law say on this issue? The law says that they don’t have to offer compensation. But I think the other point is, what does the customer expect?’ she said.

She described the data leaked in the breach as a ‘goldmine for identity theft’.

‘We know that a large number of people have been affected and that this is a serious breach in the type of information that has been compromised. It’s not just something that can be easily changed like your username or your password.’ she said.

‘Your passport or your driver’s licence number, your date of birth – these are key identification factors and are just a goldmine for identity theft. You can’t change your date of birth. To change some of them, you need to pay a cost.’

‘So, I think it’s completely fair that customers expect some sort of remedy from Optus and I think compensation, in this case, would be fair. I think we need to consider penalties as well.’

What are your thoughts about this article? Would you support a class action against Optus? Let us know in the comments below!

I am absolutely furious that such large companies could put their innocent customers identities at risk its so disappointing

 

[Yaz]

Like I mentioned in my earlier post I am so disappointed and furious, to know such things were disclosed .

Marina

 

[Mummabear1]

In the aftermath of the large-scale data breach, two law firms are considering launching class action proceedings against telecommunications giant Optus.

In recent weeks, it was announced that the personal data of nearly 10 million Optus customers had been leaked.

Now, two leading law firms are among those expressing interest in organising a class action lawsuit against Optus.

Slater and Gordon is the first to consider the idea. Senior Associate, Ben Zocco, cited the fact that the circumstances leading up to the breach are, as of yet, largely unknown. He added that it could potentially lead to significant consequences for innocent customers, so legal options are being explored.

Law firms are considering a class action lawsuit. Source: ABC​

‘This is potentially the most serious privacy breach in Australian history, both in terms of the number of affected people and the nature of the information disclosed,’ Zocco said.

‘We consider that the consequences could be particularly serious for vulnerable members of society, such as domestic violence survivors, victims of stalking and other threatening behaviour, and people who are seeking or have previously sought asylum in Australia.’

‘Given the type of information that has been reportedly disclosed, these people can’t simply heed Optus’ advice to be on the lookout for scam emails and text messages.’

‘Very real risks are created by the disclosure of their personally identifiable information, such as addresses and phone numbers.’

Maurice Blackburn is also investigating potential legal action.

‘If you are a current or former Optus customer, you are eligible to register to receive updates about the class action investigation into any potential action and compensation which may be sought on your behalf.’ its website reads.

‘Registration is free. You do not need to pay anything to register for, or participate in, the potential class action.’

But as plans for a class action circulate, Optus’ parent company Singtel revealed on Monday that it would ‘vigorously defend’ any lawsuit.

Optus ‘lawyering up’ is a bad look to customers. Source: The Guardian​

Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones said pre-emptively engaging lawyers was a bad look for the company.

‘This is an unfortunate turn of events, they are making a bad situation worse.’ he criticised.

‘The Australian people want to see Optus deal with the crisis instead of engaging and briefing lawyers.’

Jones mentioned that the government expected the telco to compensate the bill for all of the documents caught up in the breach. Regardless, a class action lawsuit in full swing against Optus is very much likely to happen.

If it does, victims could be awarded damages for the time and cost of replacing identification documents.

CHOICE Consumer Data Advocate Kate Bower previously argued that the customers deserved compensation. However, the law didn’t mandate it.

‘There are two things to consider here, one (of) which is what does the law say on this issue? The law says that they don’t have to offer compensation. But I think the other point is, what does the customer expect?’ she said.

She described the data leaked in the breach as a ‘goldmine for identity theft’.

‘We know that a large number of people have been affected and that this is a serious breach in the type of information that has been compromised. It’s not just something that can be easily changed like your username or your password.’ she said.

‘Your passport or your driver’s licence number, your date of birth – these are key identification factors and are just a goldmine for identity theft. You can’t change your date of birth. To change some of them, you need to pay a cost.’

‘So, I think it’s completely fair that customers expect some sort of remedy from Optus and I think compensation, in this case, would be fair. I think we need to consider penalties as well.’

What are your thoughts about this article? Would you support a class action against Optus? Let us know in the comments below!

 

[Mummabear1]

You can register with Maurice Blackburn now. It costs nothing to register. They will keep you updated as to what is happening regarding the class action. Hope this helps.