VOCAT discloses hundreds of email addresses of victims under administrative surveillance
An administrative error saw hundreds of Australian crime victims’ email addresses shared in an email.
On Thursday last week (September 26), the Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal (VOCAT), a Victorian agency that provides financial assistance to victims of crime, sent an email informing recipients of some administrative changes.
However, all recipients’ email addresses were visible to all other recipients.
According to the ABC, who initially reported the incident, 480 email addresses were visible in the email, many of which included first and last names.
The publication also noted two reminder emails in which VOCAT apologized for the issue and said it was working to recall the email.
“This email was sent in error and we apologize,” one email said.
“We work to recall and contain the message. Please ignore and delete the previous email.
Cyber Daily contacted VOCAT about the incident, and a Victorian Forensic Services spokesperson confirmed it was an accident.
“On Thursday afternoon, a number of email addresses of people who had previously contacted the Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal (VOCAT) were unintentionally shared among recipients after an email was sent email in error,” the spokesperson said.
“The email was a general update on changes to the procedure and did not contain any sensitive information.”
Although the email was recalled, VOCAT said some recipients opened the email and would thus have access to other recipients’ email addresses.
“All those affected have been contacted and VOCAT unreservedly apologizes for this error. VOCAT is exploring measures to ensure this does not happen again,” he said.
“VOCAT is aware of the distress that unauthorized sharing of email addresses can cause and offers of support are being made to everyone involved.
“Any email recipients who may be concerned have been encouraged to call the Crime Victims Helpline on 1800 819 817 for information, advice and support. Additional support arrangements are being finalized and further details will be provided to those affected shortly.
