Russian is sanctioned over the hacking release of Australian health insurer client data

SYDNEY (AP) — A Russian national has been sanctioned by the U.S., U.K. and Australian governments for his role in a cyber attack that compromised the personal details of more than 10 million Australians. Client data from Australia’s largest health insurer, Medibank, was released by an extortionist in October 2022 after the company refused to pay a ransom for the personal records of current and former customers. The Australian government on Tuesday imposed its cyber sanction powers for the first time against the Russian national. The sanction makes it a criminal offense punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment to use or engage with the Russian national’s assets, including through cryptocurrency wallets or ransomware payments.