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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
Business
Josh Taylor and Josh Butler

Teen charged with attempting to blackmail Optus customers using stolen data

Optus Justine Gough Michelle Rowland Jim Chalmers Sydney
Front of Optus store with sign saying 'We're deeply sorry'
The Australian federal police have charged a man who allegedly threatened to sell Optus customers’ details if they did not pay $2,000. Photograph: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

A 19-year-old Sydney man has been arrested and charged over allegedly attempting to blackmail Optus customers through an SMS scam.

It comes as the Albanese government has said it will amend regulations so telcos can temporarily share details of identification documents, such as Medicare and passport numbers, with financial institutions after a data breach to help banks better protect their customers.

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