Private health insurer nib leaks customers’ private details

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nib provides cover to more than 1.1 million people in Australia and New Zealand.

nib provides cover to more than 1.1 million people in Australia and New Zealand. Photo: Natalie Grono

Private health insurer nib displayed the personal details of its customers, including mobile numbers, email addresses, and claims history, on its website in an accidental breach of confidential information.

A concerned nib customer contacted Fairfax Media alarmed that private data was available saying he was shocked at the detail.

He said he could still access the data half an hour after he alerted the company’s call centre.

“I’m concerned somebody could look at my stuff. I’m worried about my privacy,” he said.

 

Fairfax understands that customers, through their nib accounts, were able to see the names, birth dates, contact details, and claims history of other customers.

The nib website was taken down briefly, presumably to address the issue.

A nib spokesman said that the insurer is aware of the issue and that the data displayed was erroneous.

“nib is aware of an incident with its online services displaying incorrect customer information. On being made aware nib disabled the service immediately,” the spokesperson said.

“We are currently investigating the cause of the incident, however at this stage only a small number of customers accessed the service during this period. nib takes the privacy of our customers very seriously and is continuing to investigate the issue.” 

One of Australia’s biggest health insurers, nib provides cover to more than 1.1 million people in Australia and New Zealand.