Qantas airline hit by cyberattack, affecting millions – DW – 07/02/2025
Australian airline Qantas said Wednesday that cybercriminals had targeted one of its customer contact centers, breaching a computer system used by a third party.
The airline said the system contained sensitive data on 6 million Qantas customers, such as customer names, email addresses, phone numbers and birthdays.
It stressed, however, that credit card details and passport numbers were not stored in the system.
"The incident occurred when a cybercriminal targeted a call center and gained access to a third party customer servicing platform," Qantas said in a statement.
"There is no impact to Qantas' operations or the safety of the airline."
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
The company said it had launched a probe into the cyberattack.
"We are continuing to investigate the proportion of the data that has been stolen, though we expect it will be significant."
It added that it was contacting customers to let them know what happened and provide details about the support available.
Qantas CEO Vanessa Hudson apologized for the incident.
"We sincerely apologize to our customers and we recognize the uncertainty this will cause," she said. "Our customers trust us with their personal information and we take that responsibility seriously."
Hudson said Qantas had reported the incident to Australia's National Cyber Security Coordinator.
This is not the first time Qantas has faced data security issues in recent years.
The airline also apologized in 2024 after a glitch with its mobile app exposed some passengers' names and travel details.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
DW
an hour ago
- DW
Amid severe heat wave, EU pitches flexible 2040 climate goal – DW – 07/02/2025
The EU has unveiled its new climate target, a 90% reduction in emissions by 2040. But not all member states are on board, while a provision to outsource part of the climate efforts abroad has generated controversy. With large parts of Europe gripped in a record-breaking heat wave, the European Commission has proposed that the bloc reduce its net greenhouse gas emissions 90% by 2040. That's in comparison to levels back in 1990, and on track to meet the target of net-zero emissions by 2050. The binding emissions reduction target was first proposed last year, and came after months of tough negotiations among member states. The existing target requires the EU to reduce net emissions by at least 55% by 2030; in May, the Commission said the bloc had already cut climate-warming emissions by 37%. The new target will give certainty to investors, "strengthen industrial leadership of our businesses, and increase Europe's energy security," the commission said in a statement on Wednesday. But not all member states are on board with the plan, and a controversial flexibility clause on buying carbon credits on international markets has activists crying foul. Under the proposal, EU member states could purchase international carbon credits on green projects in third countries from 2036 onward, using them to offset up to 3% of the benchmark 1990 emissions. "This can provide a safety-net to ensure a 90% target is achievable as we are closing on climate neutrality," the commission said. But activists have said the flexibility clause was included due to pressure from member states like France and Germany, along with major industry lobbyists, at the cost of reduced investments at home. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Mathieu Mal, a climate and agriculture expert at the European Environment Bureau, said the 3% flexibility clause was a "bad idea" for a variety of reasons. "What this means is that the EU would be investing in other countries outside the bloc to reduce their emissions, and that's problematic because we need these investments within the EU. We also have our sectors to decarbonize and we need funds for energy transformation here," he said. "Every country across the world needs to commit to climate action. If the EU counts these carbon credits towards its own goals then what about the countries who also need to reduce their emissions and achieve their own targets?" In May, the European Scientific Advisory Board on Climate Change advised against outsourcing part of the bloc's climate efforts, saying it "risk[s] diverting resources from domestic investments and could undermine environmental integrity." It called on all reduction toward net zero to be "achieved through domestic action." Critics of the clause have called it a ruse for heavy polluters who find it cost intensive to decarbonize in Europe and easier to invest in projects abroad that lack sufficient oversight. "The use of carbon credits is simply magical thinking for a bloc unwilling to live up to its responsibility for causing the climate catastrophe we're already living through," said Friends of the Earth Europe. "Carbon credits have a long record of failure and ultimately do not stop Europe emitting more than its fair share of carbon emissions." Speaking with DW, Mal highlighted previous concerns about green investments in third nations. "There have been lots of issues in the past. Projects carried out in some countries often don't have high standards, they often remain just on paper. There are questions if they were ever materialized," he said. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video The Commission's new target has the backing of at least some of the EU member states. As Denmark takes over the EU's rotating presidency this week, it has listed the 2040 target as one of its top priorities. "Anyone who says that the green transformation cannot be achieved with high ambition and social justice at the same time should come to Denmark," said Villy Sövndal, a lawmaker with the European Greens group and Denmark's former foreign minister. "Competitiveness in the 21st century is not linked to fossil fuels but to the advancement of the energy transition," Pedro Sanchez, Spain's socialist prime minister, said last week at the EU summit in Brussels. But other countries consider the 2040 target to be too ambitious. Italy has said an 80-85% target for 2040 would be more realistic, and the Czech Republic said Wednesday it disagreed with the commission's proposal. Speaking at the EU summit, French President Emmanuel Macron also indicated it was still too early to agree to setting the target for 2040. "The reality is that I want to get my 2030 target right first," he said, "and take the democratic and political time to convince others to get to 2040." While Germany and France both back the 3% flexibility clause, France expects an even higher percentage of the overall goal to be met by purchasing international carbon credits, with some reports suggesting up to 10%. According to Teresa Ribera, the EU's green transition chief, some political groups in the EU continue to deny climate change whereas others lack courage in confronting their constituents about steps required to combat the problem. "Political courage is needed to understand that there is a difficulty," she said in an interview with on Wednesday. "You need to face it with honesty." The EU's climate plans have raised concerns around the costs of green transition and disruption to industrial growth and livelihood, if decarbonization is carried out without adequate support. However, Ribera believes there is no time to waste. "Sorry, but it'll be much more expensive if we don't act," she said. According to a Eurobarometer survey released this week, 85% of Europeans believe climate change is a serious problem and tackling it should be a priority, while 77% agreed that the cost of damage due to climate change is much higher than the investment needed for a net-zero transition. "As European citizens increasingly feel the impact of climate change, they expect Europe to act," the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Wednesday. The proposal still needs the stamp of approval from the European Parliament and member states, and Climate Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra said he hoped an agreement could be reached before the UN climate change conference in Brazil in November. But time is short, and there are still doubts as to whether the proposal in its current form will be adopted as law.
DW
8 hours ago
- DW
EU proposes 2040 climate target with carbon credit allowance – DW – 07/02/2025
The European Commission proposed setting 2040 as the target for a 90% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. The EU wants to be carbon neutral by 2050. The European Commission on Wednesday proposed a 90% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2040 when compared to levels seen in 1990. The Commission said the proposal would build on the existing binding goal of reducing these kinds of emissions by at least 55% by 2030 . "As European citizens increasingly feel the impact of climate change, they expect Europe to act. Industry and investors look to us to set a predictable direction of travel," said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. "Today we show that we stand firmly by our commitment to decarbonise European economy by 2050. The goal is clear, the journey is pragmatic and realistic,' von der Leyen added. The proposed amendment would provide a "more pragmatic and flexible way" of reaching the target, the Commission claimed, that would soften the 90% emissions target for European industries. Under the plan, member states would be granted more flexibility to achieve the climate targets. Currently, they have only been able to count domestic greenhouse gas reductions, but from 2036, the proposal allows carbon credits from non-EU countries to count for up to 3% of the overall 90% reduction compared to 1990 levels. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video "We are not choosing between the economy and the green agenda, we are choosing both. Europe reaffirms its commitment to a fair, ambitious, and competitive green transition," said EU Commission Vice President Teresa Ribera. "Agreeing on the 90% climate target provides us with a clear lighthouse to guide our future actions," she added. The Commission said the proposal was based on a detailed assessment by the Intergovernmental Panel of Climate Change and the European Scientific Advisory Board on Climate Change. It said it followed engagement with the various member states, stakeholders, civil society and citizens among others. Those opposing the bloc's climate action ambitions argue the measures hamper economic progress. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Poland and the Czech Republic have regularly voiced their concern over climate targets citing economic and energy security considerations. Others including Italy and Hungary are concerned about the impact decarbonizing heavy industry will have at a time when Europe is working to strengthen its industry amid fierce competition from the United States and China. The proposal will now be submitted to the European Parliament and the Council for discussion and adoption in accordance with ordinary legislative procedure.
DW
8 hours ago
- DW
How Elon Musk's third party threat could disrupt US politics – DW – 07/01/2025
Elon Musk wants to shake up the two-party system in the US after clashing with Donald Trump — but history hasn't been kind to third parties. It appears the world's wealthiest person has set his mind to a new startup: his own political party. As the ongoing public fracturing of the relationship between the US President Donald Trump and his top election financier continues to play out in public, Elon Musk has again vented his opposition to the so-called "Big Beautiful Bill," a tax and spending bill, which he believes undoes the efficiency mantra he sought to instill in Washington. Musk has gone as far to warn Republican lawmakers who pass the bill that he'll run candidates against them in next year's primaries. And he also threatened the broader US two-party system with the promise he'll form a faction of his own. "If this insane spending bill passes, the America Party will be formed the next day," he wrote on X. "Our country needs an alternative to the Democrat-Republican uniparty so that the people actually have a VOICE." A genuinely competitive third party would upend more than a century of Democrats-Republicans dominance at all levels of government. Yet few have come close, despite dozens of minor parties operating across the US for decades. The Libertarian Party, established in 1971, is the third biggest in America. Campaigning for free markets, small government and personal freedoms, it had its best presidential election performance in 2016 with candidate Gary Johnson, who won 3.27% of the nationwide vote. But that's a long way from the tens of millions of votes needed to win the White House, a governorship or even a state legislature seat. The Green Party is another long-running party that has run candidates in state and federal races. Like the Libertarians, it too holds no seats in government. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video The very nature of the American political system is the "winner takes all" principle through the widespread use of a "first past the post" voting system. This delivers victory to candidates with the most votes — almost always a Republican or Democrat. There are other factors hampering success, according to Bernard Tamas, a political scientist at Valdosta State University, US, who has written extensively on the subject. Tamas said it's fundamental for a third party to tap into popular unrest — a large number of people who are dissatisfied with the current political options — and build a groundswell grassroots movement. "One of the biggest problems with the parties that have emerged is that they're not really tapping into that anger," Tamas said. Upstart parties instead "tend to be more wishy-washy and [are] not really focusing in on that strong urge for change." If tapping into grassroots is essential, so is money. Parties spend billions of dollars to get their candidates elected. According to donations watchdog OpenSecrets, nearly $16 billion (about €13.58 billion) was spent across the 2024 presidential and congressional races. Musk himself was the biggest donor in the 2023-24 election cycle. He gave more than $291 million to Republicans across all races. Massive campaign war chests help parties "get out the vote" — buying the advertising and campaigning materials that expose candidates to the public and earn their vote. It doesn't guarantee a win — the Democrats spent more than the Republicans in 2024 — but it certainly helps. "You need money for things like ballot access and a number of other things, but no third party would ever have enough money to compete against the Republicans and Democrats on their own terms," said Tamas. Could a genuine third party supplant the Democrats or Republicans? It's unlikely in Tamas's view. Instead of winning seats and building long-term success, Tamas said they instead "sting like a bee." "They emerge very quickly, they run a bunch of candidates all over the country and then they cause one or both major parties major pain," Tamas said. "They basically are pulling away votes." This is called the "spoiler effect", where protest candidates leech votes away from an often ideologically similar mainstream candidate. In some cases, they could pull away enough votes that a frontrunner loses the lead and falls to second place. It's the fear of a third party groundswell that causes the major parties to alter their policies to appease these voters. Once the change is achieved, like a bee that's stung its victim,"it dies." "The most successful third parties in America last about a decade. Once they become too much of a threat, the major parties start stealing their rhetoric, their ideology," said Tamas. Not all Americans are happy with their options. Donald Trump's net approval rating is in negative territory and YouGov's latest polls found almost 3 in 5 Americans view the Democratic Party unfavorably. In 2022, a Pew Research analysis found overall support for more parties in the political system. But it doesn't mean a new party would succeed. A study by two US political scientists in May 2024 found "disaffected partisans" — Republicans and Democrats unsatisfied with their own parties — were less likely to vote for a third, more centrist alternative. Tapping into popular anger and frustration with the status quo, Tamas said, is the fastest pathway to success. For a person like Musk, he might do well to look towards the "Fight Oligarchy" movement of left-wing opponents like Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez and Bernie Sanders currently touring America, or the original MAGA movement, if he wants to start a party. "These are very good examples to follow… the tapping into people's grievances is really it," Tamas said. "They force the [major] parties to respond by threatening their careers and their livelihood."
