Home > Industry > Australian Privacy Commissioner Launches Census Investigation

Australian Privacy Commissioner Launches Census Investigation

Australian Privacy Commissioner Timothy Pilgrim has indicated he’ll be heading an investigation into the cyber-attacks that brought last night’s 2016 census to a screeching halt.

Pilgrim released a statement to media this morning advising that “I am aware of the denial of service attacks on the Census 2016 website last night and my staff have been in contact with ABS this morning.”

“I am commencing an investigation of the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) in regards to these cyber attacks, under the Australian Privacy Act 1988,” he said.

The ABS Chief Statistician David Kalisch revealed this morning that the outages that prevented many from filling out the census were the result of several attempts to sabotage the census by overseas hackers.

According to Pilgrim, “My first priority is to ensure that no personal information has been compromised as a result of these attacks.”

 

Pilgrim says his office was briefed about the privacy protections being employed by the ABS yesterday.

“My office will continue to work with the ABS to ensure they are taking appropriate steps to protect the personal information collected through the Census,” he said.

It adds to the mire surrounding the 2016 Census – which has previously been faced with criticism and civil disobedience over plans to retain the names and addresses of individuals for four years, instead of the standard 18-months.



You may also like
Next Census: Stats Names The Day
Census Fall Out: IBM Execs Depart
Census: ‘Heads Will Roll,’ PM Pledges – And His May Be One
Census Call-Off On Cards: IBM’s $9Mil. Payment In Doubt
Census Ahead: Protests Grow A ABS Insists On Data Retention

Popular Posts

Ever Considered Giving An App Or Streaming Sub As An Xmas Present?
Latest News
/
/
Network 10 News Could Face Biase Political Reporting Ban?
Latest News
/
/
Moana 2
Moana 2 Nears $1Bn At The Box Office
Latest News
/
/
JB Hi-Fi’s Marketplace Cracks 4,400 Products, Including $3,499 Star Wars Chess Set
Latest News
/
/
Coles Supply Chain Under Pressure As Woolies Takes $140M Hit
Latest News
/
/

Digital Magazines

Recent Post

Ever Considered Giving An App Or Streaming Sub As An Xmas Present?
Latest News
/
//
Comments are Off
Gift cards have been around a long time. And there is a reason for that. The gift card can cover...
Read More