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Maurice Blackburn has made a representative complaint with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner against SingTel Optus Pty Ltd trading as Optus for a breach of the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth).The complaint concerns the mistaken disclosure of customer data by Optus.
Please note this page relates to our complaint about an alleged 2019 data breach by Optus. The information on this page does not relate to our representative complaint about the 2022 Optus data breach. If you are seeking information about our representative complaint about the 2022 Optus data breach, please click here.
About the 2019 Optus Data Breach Representative Complaint
In October 2019, Optus wrote to customers to tell them that it had mistakenly released names, addresses and phone numbers and as a result, this information was:
- listed online at whitepages.com.au;
- potentially printed in the local printed White Pages;
- listed with operator directory assistance; and
- possibly listed in other smaller online directories.
Maurice Blackburn has made a representative complaint against SingTel Optus Pty Ltd trading as Optus for a breach of the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth). You can learn more about the breach here.
Am I eligible to join the 2019 Optus Data Breach Representative Complaint?
You're eligible to register if you received this letter* in October 2019 and feel you have been adversely impacted by Optus incorrectly disclosing your data.
*If you received the letter from Optus but no longer have a copy of it, please still register. If you think you received the letter but are not sure, please register and indicate this in the comments box.
Update – December 2024
As at December 2024, the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner has substantially progressed the representative complaint. We are working to advance this as quickly as possible to the extent we can and have been assisting with this investigation as required. We do not yet know when a determination will be made. We will continue to post updates on our website as the complaint progresses.
Frequently asked questions
Where more than one person has a privacy complaint that arises out of similar circumstances, a representative complaint can be brought by one person on their own behalf and as a representative of others under the Privacy Act. The complaint is made to the regulator, the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner, which is currently the only way in which a privacy complaint can be made. The OAIC will make a determination, and there is the capacity to enforce a determination in court if necessary.
The process saves time and expense by avoiding the need to determine common issues of fact or law more than once. Representative complaints are efficient, enabling disputes and claims involving large numbers of people to be resolved via a single case.
In order to register, you will need to provide us with:
- your name
- a telephone number
- and address
Nothing.
Registering will not expose you to any out of pocket cost. Unless and until there is a successful outcome in any legal claim, all costs will be borne by Maurice Blackburn.
In the event of a successful outcome, any costs payable to Maurice Blackburn will be deducted from, and will not exceed, any compensation that you are entitled to receive.
Future updates will be published on this website.
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Australian leaders in class actions.
Our reputation for excellence in class actions is unparalleled, having recovered more than $4.3 billion for clients.
We are the only Australian class actions firm to deliver $100m+ settlements to clients in shareholder and listed securities actions, which we have done on ten occasions.
Lower cost to clients
Biggest recoveries
Most experienced
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