Nation’s largest power company probes potential data leak

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Power and gas giant Origin Energy has launched an urgent investigation into a potential security breach that may have accessed the personal details of some of its 4.7 million Australian customers.

Origin, the nation’s largest energy retailer, said on Wednesday it was investigating the potential hacking incident and acknowledged it might raise concerns for customers.

Origin Energy is Australia’s largest electricity and gas retailer.

The company said it did not believe customers’ credit card or bank details had been accessed.

“Our investigations into this incident are occurring as a matter of urgency, and Origin will provide further updates as appropriate,” a spokesperson said.

The alleged hacker has claimed to have access to the personal details of 2 million Origin Energy customers, including their names, addresses, contact numbers and dates of birth. However, the these claims have not been able to be verified.

Origin said it had notified the Australian Cyber Security Centre and the Australian Federal Police of the potential incident, and had engaged with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner.

The company’s share price has fallen more than 2 per cent following the news.

More to come.

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Nick Toscano is a business reporter for The Age and Sydney Morning Herald.Connect via X or email.