Ad leaks raise alarm
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Analysts say sensitive data of Australian security officials could be sold to dodgy operators.
A new report by the Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) has revealed that personal data of Australian politicians and national security personnel is at risk of being sold to foreign actors.
The ICCL says the online advertising industry's Real-Time Bidding (RTB) technology is leaking sensitive information, potentially exposing key officials to blackmail, hacking, and other forms of compromise.
The RTB system, which operates on a majority of websites and mobile applications, broadcasts data such as location, viewing habits, and personal identifiers to hundreds or even thousands of companies, billions of times a day.
This practice enables foreign states and non-state actors, including private surveillance firms, to obtain detailed dossiers on Australian defence personnel and political leaders.
ICCL's report, Australia's Hidden Security Crisis, notes that the data includes intimate details about individuals, such as their financial struggles, mental health conditions, and sexual histories.
Such information could be used for blackmail or influence operations by foreign intelligence agencies.
“Our investigation reveals a widespread trade in data about sensitive Australian personnel and leaders that exposes them to blackmail, hacking, and compromise,” the ICCL stated.
The report further reveals that RTB data is sent to countries like China and, prior to sanctions, Russia.
Once the data reaches these countries, local laws may allow state agencies to access it, posing a significant threat to Australia's national security.
According to the ICCL; “Google and other RTB firms send RTB data about people in Australia to China and Russia...where national laws enable security agencies to access the data”.
The implications of this data leakage are grave.
Foreign actors can monitor the movements, interests, and vulnerabilities of Australian officials, and this information can be exploited to manipulate or recruit individuals.
The report warns that even personal devices used by family members or colleagues of sensitive personnel are vulnerable to RTB data collection, making it impossible for those in key positions to fully shield themselves from surveillance.
In response to the report, the federal government has reportedly acknowledged the concerns and stated it is reviewing data privacy rules, though it has not yet provided a clear timeline for action.
The report concludes with recommendations for legislative changes, urging the government to update privacy laws to prevent the broadcast of personal information and to investigate the potential compromise of politically exposed individuals.
