Australian health insurer says data of all customers hacked
Australia’s largest health insurer says a cybercriminal has hacked the personal data of all its 4 million customers, as the government introduced legislation that would increase penalties for companies that fail to protect clients’ private information
CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Australia’s largest health insurer said on Wednesday a cybercriminal had hacked the personal data of all its 4 million customers, as the government introduced legislation that would increase penalties for companies that fail to protect clients’ private information.
Medibank said “significant amounts of health claims data” had also been accessed in the breach, which was reported to police a week ago when trade in the company’s shares was halted.
The thief has demanded ransom and has reportedly threatened to expose the diagnoses and treatments of high-profile customers.
Medibank said its priority was to discover the specific data stolen in relation to each customer and to share that information with those customers.
