Qantas Obtains Court Order to Prevent Third-Party Access to Stolen Data

Australia's flag carrier, Qantas Airways, has taken a significant step in protecting its customers' personal data by obtaining an interim injunction in the NSW Supreme Court. The court order aims to prevent any third-party access or publication of the stolen data, ensuring that sensitive information remains confidential.

The Stolen Data: A Record-Breaking Breach

Earlier this month, a hacker broke into a database containing the personal information of millions of Qantas customers, marking Australia's biggest breach in years. This incident is not an isolated one, as similar breaches have occurred at other prominent Australian institutions, including telecommunications giant Optus and health insurer Medibank, in 2022.

The scale of the breach has left many wondering if any personal data stolen from Qantas has been released. According to Qantas, no credit card details, personal financial information, or passport details were stored in the compromised system and therefore have not been accessed. The airline operator has assured customers that they are taking proactive measures to address this incident.

A Proactive Response

Qantas is working closely with several bodies, including the Australian Federal Police, the National Cyber Security Coordinator, and the Australian Cyber Security Centre, to thoroughly investigate the criminal activity surrounding the breach. This collaboration demonstrates the airline's commitment to protecting its customers' sensitive information.

Contacting Affected Customers

Last week, Qantas reached out to the 5.7 million affected customers, outlining the specific fields of their personal data that were compromised. The airline operator has assured customers that they are taking steps to support those who have been impacted by this breach.

A Court Order for Protection

HWL Ebsworth is not the only institution to seek a court order in response to the breach. By obtaining an interim injunction, Qantas aims to safeguard its customers' personal data and prevent any unauthorized access or publication. This move demonstrates the airline's commitment to protecting sensitive information and upholding its responsibility as a custodian of customer data.