An aerial drone view of houses surrounded by floodwater on March 31, 2022 in Lismore, Australia. Evacuation orders have been issued for towns across the NSW Northern Rivers region, with flash flooding expected as heavy rainfall continues. It is the second major flood event for the region this month. (Photo by Dan Peled/Getty Images)
Share and Follow

The personal data of up to 3000 flood victims in NSW has been exposed after it was uploaded to ChatGPT.

In a statement released this morning, the NSW Reconstruction Authority (RA) confirmed personal data, including names and addresses, phone numbers and other personal and health information, was uploaded to the platform by a former contractor of the RA.

The victims of the breach applied for the Northern Rivers Resilient Homes Program in the aftermath of the 2022 floods in northern NSW.

 An aerial drone view of houses surrounded by floodwater on March 31, 2022 in Lismore, Australia. Evacuation orders have been issued for towns across the NSW Northern Rivers region, with flash flooding expected as heavy rainfall continues. It is the second major flood event for the region this month. (Photo by Dan Peled/Getty Images)
The data breach impacted flood victims in the Northern Rivers region of NSW. (Getty)

Whilst the RA insist there is no evidence the data has been made public, it admits it will take some time to verify this, as the data was shared in a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet with 12,000 rows of information.

“The breach occurred when a former contractor of the RA uploaded data containing personal information to an unsecured AI tool which was not authorised by the department,” the RA said.

“The process is highly complex and time consuming and we acknowledge that it has taken time to notify people.”

The RA believes forensic examination of the issue will be completed in the coming days, offering an insight into the extent of the breach and what specific data could have been exposed.

They also say there is currently no evidence that any of the uploaded data has been accessed by a third party.

“We understand this news is concerning and we are deeply sorry for the distress it may cause for those who have engaged with the program,” the RA said.

“We know people will want to know exactly what has been shared and we are doing all we can to get that information to them as soon as possible.”

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Former airline pilot Greg Lynn has been ordered to stand trial for the murders of campers Russell Hill and Carol Clay at a remote campsite in Victoria's alpine region.

High-Profile Appeal: Convicted Camper Killer Greg Lynn Challenges Guilty Verdict in Court

More than a year after a former pilot was convicted of murdering…

Global Controversy Erupts Over Donald Trump’s Nuclear Testing Directive

United States President Donald Trump has landed back in the US after…
Floral tributes have been laid outside of Rouse Hill Public School in Sydney's north-west.

Local Community Grieves Loss of Young Girl in Tragic School Incident

Emergency responders rushed to Rouse Hill Public School just before 4 PM…
Karla Anne Drescher was found in bed at the hotel near Kata Beach in the tourist hot spot of Phuket on Monday.

Unraveling the Enigma: New Zealand Mother’s Tragic End on Thai Bucket List Adventure

A 47-year-old woman from New Zealand, Karla Anne Drescher, was discovered deceased…
Vision showed two offenders slashing machetes in the direction of a man and woman.

Two Teenagers, Aged 13 and 15, Detained Following Alleged Machete Attack Captured on Video

Police are currently questioning two teenagers, aged 13 and 15, in connection…
New images of suspects sought over home invasion

Authorities Release New Images of Suspects in Home Invasion Investigation

Authorities have unveiled new CCTV footage as part of their ongoing investigation…
Adelaide Airport has marked the resumption of international Qantas flights after more than a decade, with the inaugural Adelaide to Auckland service departing this morning.

Qantas Reinstates International Flights to Adelaide: A Decade-Long Wait Ends

Adelaide Airport celebrated a significant milestone today as Qantas resumed its international…

Australian Man Fears for Family’s Safety Amid Escalating Sudan Conflict

Emad Mohamed, a Sudanese man living in Canberra, has said he feels…