DFAT email fail reveals email details of 1,000 Australians

BY DJ Kamal Mustafa
September 30, 2020
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Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) email failure reveals the email addresses of at least 1,000 Australians who were stuck overseas during the Covid-19 pandemic.

At least 1000 Australians overseas have had their personal email addresses shared with strangers due to a mistake by the Department of Foreign Affairs. “DFAT has fixed the error and accepted the mistake, they have asked the recipient to delete the email sent by DFAT by mistake, the department wrote.

DFAT Clarification

According to the DFAT, as soon as the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade became aware of the error, remedial action was taken and the message was immediately recalled.

We request your assistance in immediately deleting that email from your IT system and refraining from any further forwarding of the email to protect the privacy of the individuals concerned.

They tweeted an apology for the error on Wednesday night, saying “no other personal information was disclosed.”

We apologise for unintentionally disclosing email addresses of stranded Australians we’re trying to help get home. No other personal information was disclosed. We want to get you home, and are working as hard as we can to do so.

— DFAT?? (@dfat) September 30, 2020

DFAT has issued an email to provide details of the Financial Hardship Program, which allows people to take out a small loan to tide them over or help fund their trip back to Australia.

Queenslander Melissa Ford and her partner relocated to London just before the pandemic, where he has been working as a clinician for the National Health Service.

According to Melissa, she is feeling uncomfortable: Everyone that had that email sent to them is already vulnerable and in a desperate situation.

Melissa said a social media group that has sprung up to share tips for Australians trying to return home has been filled with discussion about the email, and concerns about how the list of addresses could be misused.

All it takes is for some idiot to get a hold of it and then take advantage of how vulnerable people are, she said.

“Anything could happen, fake emails could be sent to people that desperately need help. It’s very disheartening. I don’t want my email going out to strangers.”

She said one of the main concerns she has is whether the addresses could be leaked.

Reaction from Twitter users

Thanks for confirming just how untrustworthy any govt arm is when it comes to personal data.

— Natasha yann corrosive sewer ? (@natasha_yann) September 30, 2020

For the department with the most complex and difficult job application process, you sure have incompetent staff.

— Steph ? ? (@steph_brown_aus) September 30, 2020

Sorry, but "working as hard as you can" in my opinion would be getting people on repatriation flights and bringing them home now. Not next year. Or just remove the caps so that people can get a flight home. #abandonedAussies

— Miss Pretty Pants ?? (@missprettypants) September 30, 2020

Unfortunately those email addresses are also used to access traveller information on your website and so now everyone’s contact details, flight reservations and passport information are at risk of exposure for anyone with a weak password. Nice job.

— craig (@apastasalad) September 30, 2020

DFAT, if you'd done this when my dad was in your department, he would have had your guts for garters.

— Dame Queen Fiona #IStandWithDan (@fionajreynolds) September 30, 2020

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