Media Release: Telstra Database Mistake

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12 August 2002

Deputy Federal Privacy Commissioner, Timothy Pilgrim made the following announcement on 12 August 2002:

"Telstra's publishing of the silent numbers of some of their customers is a serious privacy issue, particularly for those people who have requested a silent number for security reasons.

"While I welcome Telstra's early advice to our office on this incident, and the way they are working to assist their customers, there is the potential for the privacy of many people to be affected.

"This is a timely reminder to organisations that hold large databases of personal information that they must get their systems right.

"The more organisations rely on complex technologies to manage their customer relationships, the more they need to ensure that sound privacy protocols are built into the design of these systems, and are not put in as an afterthought.

"I would strongly urge those people with silent numbers to check the white pages and to contact Telstra immediately if their details have been published against their wishes. This is especially urgent for those with security concerns.

"If people aren't satisfied with Telstra's response to their privacy concerns, they can lodge a formal complaint with our office which we will investigate.