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Russian criminals are publishing Australians’ sensitive health records

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Medibank hackers

The group responsible for Australia’s Medibank data hack have been identified

A Russian criminal gang is behind the latest data breach to grip Australian consumers.

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) has identified REvil, a Russian-based ransomware crime group as the perpetrators behind the hack.

Over 9.7 million customers from Medibank—one of the nation’s largest health insurers—have been embroiled in the leak.

“Let me say this, I am disgusted by the perpetrators of this criminal act,” said the nation’s Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese.

On Friday, a third wave of health data was published online in relation to people’s mental health, and drug and alcohol use.

Around 240 people were identified in the file, which was titled ‘boozy’.

“We know where they’re coming from, we know who is responsible, and we say that they should be held to account,” Mr Albanese said.

“The fact is that the nation where these attacks are coming from, should also be held accountable for the disgusting attacks, and the release of information including very private and personal information.”

ANTHONY ALBANESE, AUSTRALIA’S PRIME MINISTER

The AFP’s Commissioner, Reece Kershaw said the hacking event constitutes a crime, which could potentially impact millions of Australians.

“This cyber attack is an unacceptable attack on Australia and it deserves a response that matches the malicious and far-reaching consequences that this crime is causing,” he said.

On Thursday, 303 women had their abortion records published on the dark web.

The leaks began after Medibank refused to pay a $10 million ransom, which equates to around $1 per affected customer.

Commissioner Kershaw said there may also be some affiliates operating in other countries.

“I know Australians are angry, distressed and seeking answers about the highly-sensitive and deeply personal information that is being released by criminals who breached Medibank Private’s data base.”

REECE KERSHAW, AUSTRALIAN FEDERAL POLICE

Russian authorities claimed the group had disbanded earlier this year. However, the group has recently made a resurgence.

David Koczkar is the chief executive at Medibank, who said the hackers are expected to continue releasing the “stolen” data every day.

“The relentless nature of this tactic being used by the criminal is designed to cause distress and harm.”

“These are real people behind this data and the misuse of their data is deplorable and may discourage them from seeking medical care,” Koczkar said.

Medibank is in the process of contacting affected customers.

Costa is a news producer at ticker NEWS. He has previously worked as a regional journalist at the Southern Highlands Express newspaper. He also has several years' experience in the fire and emergency services sector, where he has worked with researchers, policymakers and local communities. He has also worked at the Seven Network during their Olympic Games coverage and in the ABC Melbourne newsroom. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts (Professional), with expertise in journalism, politics and international relations. His other interests include colonial legacies in the Pacific, counter-terrorism, aviation and travel.

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Business

Amazon employees walk out to protest office policies

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Staff at warehousing giant Amazon have walked off the job to protest the company’s return-to-office program

Over 1,900 Amazon employees pledged to protest globally over proposed changes to the company’s climate policy, layoffs and a return-to-office mandate.

The activist group behind the rally is known as Amazon Employees for Climate Justice (AECJ), who are seeking a greater voice for employees.

“Our goal is to change Amazon’s cost/benefit analysis on making harmful, unilateral decisions that are having an outsized impact on people of color, women, LGBTQ people, people with disabilities, and other vulnerable people,” organisers said.

Over 100 people gathered at the heart of Amazon’s Seattle headquarters on Wednesday. The company said it had not witnessed any other demonstrations.

AECJ said the walkout comes after Amazon made moves “in the wrong direction”.

The company recently has recently overturned a desire to make all Amazon shipments net zero for carbon emissions by 2030.

The company maintains a pledge on climate change.

Amazon spokesperson Brad Glasser told Reuters the company is pursuing a strategy to cut carbon emissions.

“For companies like ours who consume a lot of power, and have very substantial transportation, packaging, and physical building assets, it’ll take time to accomplish.”

AECJ protesters also sought support for the 27,000 staff, who had lost their jobs in recent months —around 9 per cent of Amazon’s global workforce.

The company has also mandated a return-to-office program.

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Business

The Great Resignation vs. The Great Burnout

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As employees recover from the height of the pandemic, the Great Resignation has come to light

 
The pandemic saw the term ‘the great resignation’ coined as thousands of people resigned from their jobs across the U.S. in 2021 and 2022.

Karin Reed, the author of ‘Suddenly Hybrid said the great resignation was a period of employees taking control of their future.

“A lot of people realised in their current environment they were not happy with what they were doing with their job. They chose to vote with their feet and go elsewhere,

In other parts of the world, a spike in resignations was not reported.

However, a higher degree of workers began reporting post-Covid burnout, as they made a return to the office.

“There’s been a blurring of the lines. You have work that’s not confined by a physical space.

“Instead of closing the computer and walk away, our computer is in the next room.”

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Business

When will airfares begin to fall?

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As the global aviation market rebounds, airlines are changing their service offerings

 
Over 46 million workers in the global aviation sector lost their jobs as global aviation came to a grinding halt at the onset of the pandemic.

However, Geoffrey Thomas from AirlineRatings.com said passengers have returned to airport terminals and boarded flights in droves.

“When travelled returned, many of us wondered what sort of low airfares will we have to be charged to entice people back onto airplanes.”

In February 2023, total traffic (measured in revenue passenger kilometres) rose 55.5 per cent when compared to February 2022.

Globally, traffic is at 84.9 per cent of February 2019 levels.

“It was a stampede, the likes of which we have never seen before,” Mr Thomas said.

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