Vodafone Leaked Email on 'hacking' of Reporter

vodafone-ghana-slogan1.jpg

Vodafone Australia is facing mounting pressure over the potentially unlawful access of a journalist’s phone records, as more details of a leaked email emerged that alleged a manager in the company instructed investigators to “use any means available” to track down the journalist’s source.
 
The company has admitted that investigators accessed Fairfax journalist Natalie O’Brien’s call and text records in 2011 after she broke a story about a serious data breach within Vodafone.After it initially denied any improper behaviour, the company referred the allegations to the Australian federal police for investigation .

The company has maintained that Vodafone management did not ask the two investigators who were involved to access O’Brien’s phone records, and that a review commissioned by the company found management had not instructed them to take that action.

The leaked email was reported by the Australian following previous reports. It was written by a Vodafone Australia manager to a global manager in London in 2012 and relays a conversation with one of the investigators in which the investigator alleges he was instructed by another manager to take certain measures to determine the source of O’Brien’s story.
It says the investigator asked “if they really meant ‘any means available including call-charge records and text messages’, to which the manager said yes, he did not care how they did this,” the email said, according to the Australian.
It continues, saying that the investigator “asked if this included the reporter as well … [the manager] said yes.”

Vodafone has denied that the investigators were instructed to access O’Brien’s phone. A spokeswoman for the company said it commissioned KPMG to conduct a review into the circumstances around O’Brien’s phone being accessed in 2012, but the review found that Vodafone management had not instructed the two investigators involved.
The company has refused to release the report publicly. A spokeswoman said KPMG found “that there was no evidence VHA management instructed … [the investigators] to review customers’ text messages or that VHA management was aware they had been accessed.”

Greens senator Scott Ludlam has urged the AFP to take up an investigation into the circumstances of the case. The Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance has described the breach as “unforgivable” and has written to the company asking it to make public documents concerning the breach.
Guardian: http://bit.ly/1MGqn8J

 

 

« UK’s Surveillance Dragnet Legal Challenge
Why Aren’t Companies Using Military Security? »

Infosecurity Europe
CyberSecurity Jobsite
Perimeter 81

Directory of Suppliers

TÜV SÜD Academy UK

TÜV SÜD Academy UK

TÜV SÜD offers expert-led cybersecurity training to help organisations safeguard their operations and data.

NordLayer

NordLayer

NordLayer is an adaptive network access security solution for modern businesses — from the world’s most trusted cybersecurity brand, Nord Security. 

North Infosec Testing (North IT)

North Infosec Testing (North IT)

North IT (North Infosec Testing) are an award-winning provider of web, software, and application penetration testing.

Authentic8

Authentic8

Authentic8 transforms how organizations secure and control the use of the web with Silo, its patented cloud browser.

XYPRO Technology

XYPRO Technology

XYPRO is the market leader in HPE Non-Stop Security, Risk Management and Compliance.

WhiteHat Security

WhiteHat Security

WhiteHat’s products enable customers to “Hack Yourself First” so that they gain a greater understanding of the actual risk to their business.

IT Security Guru

IT Security Guru

IT Security Gurus publish daily breaking news. interviews with the key thinkers in IT security, videos and the top 10 stories as picked by our Editor.

VNCERT

VNCERT

VNCERT is the national Computer Emergency Response Team for Vietnam.

Cyber Security National Lab (CINI)

Cyber Security National Lab (CINI)

The Cyber Security National Lab brings together Italian academic excellence in Cyber Security research.

Living Security

Living Security

Living Security specializes in metric driven and engaging security awareness solutions that reduce risk by increasing security culture and changing employee behaviour.

Plexal

Plexal

Plexal is East London's innovation centre and co-working space. We offer startups flexible memberships, giving them access to office space plus all the benefits and support they need to scale.

Shevirah

Shevirah

Shevirah specializes in products for automated mobile and IoT device vulnerability assessment, penetration testing, and mobile security awareness training.

Falcongaze

Falcongaze

Falcongaze SecureTower is a comprehensive DLP solution for the protection of business against internal threats.

Institute for Security and Technology (IST)

Institute for Security and Technology (IST)

The Institute for Security and Technology's goal is to provide the tools and insights needed for companies and governments to outpace emerging global security threats.

InfusionPoints

InfusionPoints

InfusionPoints is your independent trusted partner dedicated to assisting you in building your secure and compliant business solutions.

BlastWave

BlastWave

BlastWave deliver Operational Technology Cybersecurity solutions that minimize the available attack surface and protect against the rising tide of AI-powered cyber attacks.

Zorus

Zorus

Zorus provides best-in-class cybersecurity products to MSP partners to help them grow their business and protect their clients.

Stryve

Stryve

Stryve is a leading carbon-neutral provider of specialist cloud and cybersecurity services in Europe.

Goldilock

Goldilock

Goldilock is redefining how sensitive data, devices, networks and critical infrastructure can be secured.

Exalens

Exalens

With deep roots in AI-driven cyber-physical security research and intrusion detection, at Exalens, we are enhancing operational resilience for cyber-physical systems at the OT edge.

Obscure Technologies

Obscure Technologies

Obscure Technologies is a firm of experts, specialised in brokering the best security solutions to market.