An Australian class actions law firm is fighting for compensation from Qantas for millions of customers who had their data leaked in yet another Aussie privacy breach. On June 30, the airline confirmed cybercriminals had targeted an airline call centre and gained access to a customer servicing platform, with nearly six million customers being affected.
Maurice Blackburn Lawyers has now made a representative complaint to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) against Qantas, citing a breach of the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth).
According to their website, the class action complaint “alleges that Qantas breached privacy laws by failing to adequately protect the personal information of its customers”.
Principal lawyer Elizabeth O’Shea confirmed the complaint was lodged with the OAIC in a statement. “Maurice Blackburn has now taken action against Qantas over its mass customer data breach that has reportedly affected 5.7 million people,” O’Shea said.
“While we await a response and potential action from the OAIC in relation to Qantas failing to adequately protect the personal information of its customers, we would encourage Qantas customers who were impacted by the breach to register with us to receive updates about the representative complaint and compensation which may be sought on your behalf. Registration is free and non-binding.
“It is early days in what we are learning about the mass data breach, but if you’re one of the millions of people that have had your personal information compromised, you’re eligible to register with us and we will keep you informed as the matter progresses.”
How can you register for the class action complaint against Qantas?
Customers can register for Maurice Blackburn’s class action complaint through their website by providing their name, phone number, email and address. Customers need to answer an eligibility question that reads: “Do you currently, or did you formerly, share personal information with Qantas?”
The company has confirmed that registration will not cost customers anything. If the class action complaint is successful, costs payable to Maurice Blackburn will be deducted from — but not exceed — any compensation you are entitled to.
If it isn’t successful, you won’t be required to cough up any dosh either.
Why couldn’t the hackers deposit a few million Qantas points into our accounts as penance for their sins? I’d gladly sell my soul for some free first-class flights around the world. Instead, I’m stuck with spam calls bombarding me throughout the workday. At least this class action complaint is somewhat turning lemons into lemonade, I guess.
Feature image: Getty
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