Police Charge Hacker Of Francis Abbotts Files

[lightningdance]

A SYDNEY woman faces up to two years’ jail after being charged over computer hacking that led to student records about a $60,000 scholarship granted to Tony ­Abbott’s daughter being leaked to the online magazine New Matilda.

NSW police have charged Freya Newman, a 21-year-old communications student from the University of Technology, Sydney, with unauthorised access to restricted data held in a computer.

Ms Newman was served with a court attendance notice at her home on Monday night to appear on the charge before a magistrate next month.

Police involvement follows a complaint by management of the Whitehouse Institute of Design that its computer system was hacked on May 20, a day before New Matilda published an article claiming it had documents contradicting assurances by the Prime Minister that one of his daughters received a scholarship based on merit.

The New Matilda article prompted controversy over the selection process used to award a scholarship to Frances Abbott, and the magazine has criticised the Prime Minister for not declaring the grant on his register of interests.

NSW police pursued the institute’s complaint with a criminal investigation that concluded with the charge against Ms Newman under section 308H of the NSW Crimes Act, an offence carrying a maximum of two years in jail.

During the police investigation, the Whitehouse Institute handed over CCTV footage and email evidence that allegedly identified Ms Newman, who was working as a part-time night ­librarian for the institute in May when computer files were ­accessed.

It has been alleged Ms Newman gained unauthorised access to the files of Ms Abbott and more than 500 other students.

New Matilda editor Chris Graham lauded the “brave sources” who provided his publication with leaked information in a comment piece published on Monday.

[debra9275]

newscorp might hire her, they've got a pretty good reputation for hacking too... especialy phones.

[icyfroth]

Oh I can see Ms Freya Newman being headhunted by all sorts of publications and organisations, Deb. 🙂

[boris1gary]

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@paintsew007 wrote:

....so is the charging of this woman related in any way, shape or form to this scholarship info ....that was public knowledge (supposedly) anyway?

......err.....what's all the fuss about again    LOL

my apologies to Freya btw if I could retract my quip I would do so.

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interesting how the police choose what to investigate and what to ignore, newscorp banging on about hacking...oh the irony

FBI's phone-hacking trove of e-mails revealed: US authorities have thousands of messages 'which threaten Murdoch' and may be used in new company-wide police probe

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2670735/Rupert-Murdoch-facing-fresh-hacking-questions-sides-... 

[***super_nova***]

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lightningdance wrote: New Matilda published an article claiming it had documents contradicting assurances by the Prime Minister that one of his daughters received a scholarship based on merit.

The New Matilda article prompted controversy over the selection process used to award a scholarship to Frances Abbott, and the magazine has criticised the Prime Minister for not declaring the grant on his register of interests.

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So, you do not think that the public has the right to know whether the scholarship is granted on merit, and that the PM did not declare it?

If it was ALP politician you would be applauding the hacker.

[lightningdance]

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@***super_nova*** wrote:

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lightningdance wrote: New Matilda published an article claiming it had documents contradicting assurances by the Prime Minister that one of his daughters received a scholarship based on merit.

The New Matilda article prompted controversy over the selection process used to award a scholarship to Frances Abbott, and the magazine has criticised the Prime Minister for not declaring the grant on his register of interests.

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So, you do think that the public has the right to know whether the scholarship is granted on merit, and that the PM did not declare it?

If it was ALP politician you would be applauding the hacker.

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Are you related to plibbersek by any chance. You seem to have her propensity for putting words into mouths and uttering lies about what I "WOULD DO)". soooo funny

[cherry*135]

"The Whitehouse Institute faces a legal claim by a former employee who was investigated by the school after the story broke."

http://www.afr.com/p/national/work_space/abbott_scholarship_school_gave_free_a3ywaWgZyjHKbx2O7N3nKL

What is that about?

[the_hawk*]

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@nero_wulf wrote:

Was just about to post the same story LD,  you beat me to it.

Well done to  Whitehouse Institute of Design for calling for this investigation and the police for their work.

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dont you mean well done Miss Newman for showing Abbott as a dishonourable liar that has no issue with misleading the public that actually pay him.

[freddie*rooster]

I need new glasses I read this thread as piles instead of files.

[amber-eyed-girl]

The hacking act, was a negative act.

Whatever it was used for, or released.

but her career may have just started...either for more of this nature, or if she is any good, working for policing types in the future.

[boris1gary]

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@freddie*rooster wrote:

I need new glasses I read this thread as piles instead of files.

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well I am sure they would be diamond encrusted piles of calibre.