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Federal authorities are investigating after private phone numbers of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Opposition Leader Sussan Ley, former Prime Minister Scott Morrison and dozens of other senior Australian officials were discovered freely available on large contact databases operated by American marketing companies. The Guardian Australia verified the authenticity of multiple phone numbers Tuesday after independent outlet Ette Media first reported the exposure Monday night. The databases, which claim to hold contact information for hundreds of millions of professionals worldwide, are marketed as data intelligence tools for business sales and marketing purposes.
Acting Prime Minister Richard Marles, whose details were also exposed, confirmed federal authorities have been notified and an investigation is underway. The breach affects numerous high-profile figures including former prime ministers Tony Abbott and Malcolm Turnbull, state premiers Chris Minns and Jacinta Allan, Education Minister Jason Clare, and independent senators David Pocock and Jacqui Lambie. The databases also list international figures including Donald Trump Jr., French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Federal sources downplayed the severity, noting many politicians’ contact information was previously circulated through old press releases and community announcements, though officials are now requesting removal of their details from the websites.
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