Western Australian arts organisation targeted in data breach

Eight arts organisations in Western Australia are reported to have suffered a data breach, with hackers stealing a range of information through breaching the third-party software used by the companies.

The organisations included Barking Gecko Theatre Company; Black Swan State Theatre Company; Co3 Contemporary Dance; Perth Festival; Tura New Music; West Australian Ballet; West Australian Opera; and Yirra Yaakin Theatre Company.

According to the Western Australian Arts and Culture Trust, the data included email addresses and “other non-sensitive data” shared with the organisations.

However, the data does not include credit card numbers or government identification numbers.

In an email to stakeholders, the Trust advised “at this time, we are not aware of the data being publicly distributed and/or misused.

“We’re alerting you out of an abundance of transparency and because your privacy is important to us.”

Western Australian Minister for Culture and the Arts David Templeman said although “relatively minor”, the breach was “very regrettable”.