Optus has denied class action claims that customers suffered loss and damages for its alleged negligence in relation to last year’s massive data breach and argues they are not entitled to compensation for distress, frustration or disappointment that does not amount to a recognised psychiatric illness.
A judge has cautioned two law firms running competing shareholder class actions over last October’s cyber attack on Medibank that they must keep their focus on the best interests of clients and group members, saying lawyers can lose sight of that duty when arguing for their case.
Medibank is now facing five class actions over last October’s cyber attack that left exposed the personal data of 9.7 million customers, this one by shareholders of the private health insurer.
The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority has raised Medibank’s capital adequacy requirement by $250 million, following last year’s cyber attack against the private health insurer, which exposed the personal details of 10 million customers.
The Albanese government has appointed Australia’s first cybersecurity coordinator in the wake of a string cyberattacks against large firms, including one against law firm HWL Ebsworth which the privacy minister likened to the Optus and Medibank hacks.
The legal industry is one of the most vulnerable to attack by ransomware, with over 200 attacks worldwide in three years, according to a recent report.
National Australia Bank has been revealed as one of HWL Ebsworth’s clients whose information was compromised when the law firm was hacked by a Russian-linked group.
A court has issued an injunction against the Russian-linked hacking group that accessed troves of data from HWL Ebsworth, including client information, as the law firm details the cost and time spent responding to the breach.
Commonwealth Bank of Australia has copped a record $3.55 million penalty for breaching spam laws after it sent more than 65 million emails without an easy way for individuals to unsubscribe.
Class action firms and funders will set their sights on claims related to environmental, social and governance investing, says Clayton Utz’s new litigation partner Matthew Spain, but whether the game is worth the candle remains to be seen.