NOVA Entertainment reveals listener data breach

NOVA Entertainment has revealed that information collected from its listeners between May of 2009 and October of 2011 has been publically disclosed.

The radio network detailed the nature of the data breach recently in a release by CEO Cathy O’Connor on NOVA’s corporate website, referring to the matter as a “data incident”.

The release details that a legacy dataset “containing information collected from our listeners” was publicly disclosed, and that NOVA Entertainment is in the process of notifying the affected individuals.

Information disclosed is said to have varied from person to person, but included data such as name, gender, date of birth, residential address, email address, phone number, usernames and passwords.

“We can confirm that no other information, including copies of identity documentation or financial information is contained in the dataset disclosed in this incident,” O’Connor said.

The incident is being investigated by “leading Privacy, IT and Cyber Security consultants to understand the circumstances of the disclosure,” and NOVA has notified the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner of this incident.

“We take privacy, and the security of the information we collect from our listeners very seriously, and on behalf of NOVA Entertainment, I deeply and sincerely regret that this incident has occurred,” said O’Connor.

“We are fully committed to achieving the best possible outcome for anyone affected by this incident.”

For more information including how to get in touch with IDCARE – Australia and New Zealand’s national identity and cyber support service – head to the official release page here.