Australian airline Qantas says hit by 'significant' cyberattack
They had access to sensitive information such as customer names, email addresses, phone numbers and birthdays, the blue-chip Australian company said.
"There are 6 million customers that have service records in this platform," the company said in a statement.
"We are continuing to investigate the proportion of the data that has been stolen, though we expect it will be significant."
Credit card details and passport numbers were not kept in the system, Qantas added.
"There is no impact to Qantas' operations or the safety of the airline."
Chief executive Vanessa Hudson said Qantas had notified Australia's National Cyber Security Coordinator.
"We sincerely apologise to our customers and we recognise the uncertainty this will cause," she said.
"Our customers trust us with their personal information and we take that responsibility seriously."
University of Adelaide cybersecurity expert Christopher Bronk said the stolen data could be used for identity theft.
"The stolen customer data has a value in its capacity for resale among criminal actors interested in perpetrating computer-enabled fraud and gaining access to the victims' other online accounts," said Bronk.
A string of major cyberattacks has in recent years raised concerns about the protection of Australians' personal data.
"These recurring cyberattacks in Australia demonstrate that many organisations are still neglecting cybersecurity," said cybersecurity expert Rumpa Dasgupta.
"It must be treated with the utmost importance," said Dasgupta, from Australia's La Trobe University.
Qantas apologised in 2024 after a glitch with its mobile app exposed some passengers' names and travel details.
Major ports handling 40 percent of Australia's freight trade ground to a halt in 2023 after hackers infiltrated computers belonging to operator DP World.
Russia-based hackers in 2022 breached one of Australia's largest private health insurers, accessing the data of more than nine million current and former customers.
The same year telecom company Optus suffered a data breach of similar magnitude in which the personal details of up to 9.8 million people were accessed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
France 24
9 hours ago
- France 24
OPEC+ slated to increase oil output in bid to regain market share
The anticipated output increase by the group of eight oil-producing countries known as the "Voluntary Eight" (V8), would be the latest in a series of hikes that began in April. In a bid to boost prices, the wider OPEC+ group -- comprising the 12-nation Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its allies -- in recent years had agreed to three different tranches of output cuts that amounted to almost 6 million barrels per day (bpd) in total. Analysts expect the V8 group -- namely Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Algeria and Oman -- to agree on another output increase of 548,000 bpd for September, a target similar to the one approved in August. According to UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo, the likely "quota increase is largely priced in" already, with the price of Brent, the global benchmark for oil, expected to remain near its current level of around $70 per barrel after Sunday's decision. Since April, the V8 group has placed increased focus on regaining market share over price stability, a policy shift after years of enforcing production cuts to prop up prices. Likely pause in output hikes But it remains unclear which strategy the group intends to pursue after Sunday's meeting. According to Warren Patterson, an analyst at ING, the V8 nations will likely "take a pause in supply hikes after September". Crude prices have held up better than most analysts had predicted since the production increases began. Experts say that is mainly due to traditionally high summer demand and significant geopolitical risk premiums being built into prices, particularly since the 12-day Iran-Israel war. Moreover, the actual increase in production between March and June was less than the increase in quotas during the same period, said Staunovo, quoting OPEC sources. However, the market is "set to move into large surplus" of oil supply from October, Patterson noted, warning that OPEC+ should remain careful not to be "adding to this surplus". "OPEC+ is doing the balancing act of regaining market share and not sending oil prices plummeting", which would lead to a drop it profits, Tamas Varga, an analyst at PVM, told AFP. Saudi Arabia, the group's most influential member, relies heavily on oil revenues to finance its ambitious plan aimed at diversifying the economy. The unwinding of another set of production cuts of around 3.7 million bpd is to be discussed at the next OPEC+ ministerial meeting in November. Unstable environment With demand being unstable in the face of US President Donald Trump's erratic policymaking on trade and supply under threat by geopolitical risks, experts say it is difficult to predict what is next for the oil market. In the latest twist in late July, Trump gave Moscow ten days to end the war in Ukraine, saying that his country would otherwise impose sanctions on Russia. "We're gonna put on tariffs and stuff," he vowed. Trump had previously hinted to an indirect 100-percent surcharge on countries that continue to buy Russian products, particularly hydrocarbons, in order to dry up Moscow's revenues. He has specifically targeted India, the second largest importer of Russian oil at around 1.6 million bpd since the beginning of the year. The developments could prompt OPEC+ to make further policy decisions. However, "OPEC+ will react only to real supply disruptions" and not to price increases linked to risk premiums, said Staunovo.
Fashion Network
2 days ago
- Fashion Network
US tech firm Zugara accuses Chanel of patent infringement over AR makeup
Legal disputes over augmented reality (AR) technology are escalating across fashion and beauty. The latest case involves Chanel, which California-based AR company Zugara is suing for allegedly infringing on its patented face-tracking process. Zugara filed the lawsuit on July 22 in Texas, claiming the French luxury house's virtual makeup try-on tool unlawfully replicates a patented system the firm developed for real-time cosmetic simulation. The tech company is known for providing AR tools to major clients such as Nestlé, Pepsi, Toyota, AT&T, and the U.S. Air Force. At the center of the case is a patented method that tracks users' eyes and lips to digitally apply makeup in real time. While there are several ways to achieve this effect, Zugara alleges that Chanel's 'Virtually Try-On' tool copies the specific sequence outlined in its patent. Zugara previously filed a similar complaint against Estée Lauder, which was reportedly settled out of court. Chanel's virtual try-on experience allows users to test makeup looks inspired by its Croisière 2025 runway show. The tool features curated palettes, limited-edition products, and options to customize makeup virtually before purchasing. Unlike virtual reality, which immerses users in a fully digital environment, augmented reality enhances real-world images by overlaying digital elements. In the beauty sector, AR try-on tools have become popular for offering personalized, contact-free shopping experiences. But the rise of AR tools has sparked more than just innovation. Legal challenges involving beauty brands and tech firms are becoming more common—particularly around the collection of biometric data. In the U.S., companies such as Charlotte Tilbury Beauty, e.l.f. Beauty, Mary Kay, and Ulta have previously been sued for allegedly capturing facial data without user consent. As companies like Apple and Meta push forward with AR-enabled devices, experts warn that biometric tracking, facial scanning, and consumer privacy will continue to raise legal and regulatory questions across the retail and tech industries.
Fashion Network
2 days ago
- Fashion Network
US tech firm Zugara accuses Chanel of patent infringement over AR makeup
Legal disputes over augmented reality (AR) technology are escalating across fashion and beauty. The latest case involves Chanel, which California-based AR company Zugara is suing for allegedly infringing on its patented face-tracking process. Zugara filed the lawsuit on July 22 in Texas, claiming the French luxury house's virtual makeup try-on tool unlawfully replicates a patented system the firm developed for real-time cosmetic simulation. The tech company is known for providing AR tools to major clients such as Nestlé, Pepsi, Toyota, AT&T, and the U.S. Air Force. At the center of the case is a patented method that tracks users' eyes and lips to digitally apply makeup in real time. While there are several ways to achieve this effect, Zugara alleges that Chanel's 'Virtually Try-On' tool copies the specific sequence outlined in its patent. Zugara previously filed a similar complaint against Estée Lauder, which was reportedly settled out of court. Chanel's virtual try-on experience allows users to test makeup looks inspired by its Croisière 2025 runway show. The tool features curated palettes, limited-edition products, and options to customize makeup virtually before purchasing. Unlike virtual reality, which immerses users in a fully digital environment, augmented reality enhances real-world images by overlaying digital elements. In the beauty sector, AR try-on tools have become popular for offering personalized, contact-free shopping experiences. But the rise of AR tools has sparked more than just innovation. Legal challenges involving beauty brands and tech firms are becoming more common—particularly around the collection of biometric data. In the U.S., companies such as Charlotte Tilbury Beauty, e.l.f. Beauty, Mary Kay, and Ulta have previously been sued for allegedly capturing facial data without user consent. As companies like Apple and Meta push forward with AR-enabled devices, experts warn that biometric tracking, facial scanning, and consumer privacy will continue to raise legal and regulatory questions across the retail and tech industries.
