Friday 30 September 2022 03:35 AM Optus hack: Victims to get free passport as Anthony Albanese confirms telco ... trends now
View
comments
Optus has agreed to foot the bill for any victim embroiled in the telco's massive hack that wants a new passport, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has confirmed.
The opposition was heaping pressure on the federal government to pay for new passports for the more than 10million people that may have had their travel document details stolen in last week's hack.
However, Mr Albanese confirmed on Friday after National Cabinet that Optus had agreed to pay for their replacements.
Mr Albanese said it was 'entirely appropriate' for Optus to pay up.
'I find it extraordinary that the federal opposition called upon taxpayers to foot the bill. I note Paul Fletcher's comments that attempted to play politics with this issue and blame the government, him having sat in a cabinet for nine years and his failure to provide any criticism on a serious level on Optus,' Mr Albanese told reporters on Friday.
Optus has already agreed to pay for new drivers' licences for anyone impacted.
Anthony Albanese said it was 'entirely appropriate' for Optus to pay the bill
Those impacted by the Optus hack will get free passports, paid for by the telco
It comes as the Australian Federal Police sets up a new task force to help protect customers affected by the Optus data breach from identity theft.
Operation Guardian, launched by the AFP in collaboration with state and territory forces, will help impacted customers and safeguard Australians against cybercrime.
The more than 10,000 people whose identity documents
