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🇦🇺 Australia /Crime & Justice

'A matter of national security': Call for urgent action on VIQ scandal

From ABC Australia · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Under investigation
  • A scandal involving transcription company VIQ Solutions has implicated 13 Australian government agencies in potential data breaches.
  • Sensitive court files were allegedly accessed offshore in India, raising national security concerns.
  • Calls are being made for an urgent audit to assess the extent of the breaches and ensure accountability.

A widening scandal involving the transcription company VIQ Solutions has drawn 13 Australian government agencies into a potential data breach crisis, sparking urgent calls for an audit due to national security implications. The embattled company previously breached its contract with the Federal Court by allowing sensitive court files to be accessed in India.

This is a very worrying development and it's important we get a full picture of what services have been provided by VIQ to the various government agencies involved.

— Anthony Whealy KCThe former judge and chair of the Centre for Public Integrity expressed concern over the scandal's scope and the need for transparency.

VIQ Solutions is currently being wound down and was removed as an approved supplier from AusTender on March 19. Despite this, numerous agencies, including the Department of Defence, Services Australia, the ATO, and the Attorney General's department, have used VIQ's services since 2019, significantly broadening the risk of compromised data. Notably, the Office of the Special Investigator (OSI), tasked with war crimes investigations, signed a new contract with VIQ in April, even after the company entered administration.

Overall, this issue demonstrates there's a weakness in our processes and protocols… How can one company so expose all these departments to a security risk?

— Anthony Whealy KCWhealy highlighted systemic flaws in government procedures that allowed the security risk to emerge.

The OSI stated it engaged VIQ for court audio recordings but has not made payments or received services. However, former NSW Court of Appeals judge Anthony Whealy KC expressed deep concern, particularly given the OSI's ongoing investigations. He emphasized the need for a complete understanding of the services provided and highlighted a systemic weakness in government processes that allowed such a security risk.

Australians deserve to know whether the integrity of sensitive government proceedings has been compromised

— Michaela CashThe Shadow Attorney General called for transparency and accountability regarding the data breach.

Documents reveal that thousands of court files may have been accessed by e24 Technologies, an Indian company specializing in voice-to-text services. The alleged breach is under investigation by Australia's information commissioner and has prompted a formal complaint in Canada, where VIQ's parent company is based. Shadow Attorney General Michaela Cash has demanded a "forensic audit," stressing that Australians deserve assurance regarding the integrity of sensitive government proceedings.

The OSI has not made any payments to or received any services from the supplier

— Office of the Special Investigator (OSI)The OSI clarified its limited engagement with VIQ Solutions, stating no services were rendered or payments made.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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