The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) is conducting a thorough investigation into a significant security breach that compromised its official ABC News Facebook page, which boasts a substantial following of 4.9 million users. The incident involved unauthorised access leading to the posting of inappropriate content, including photographs of adult performers and an unflattering image of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Details of the Facebook Page Breach
On Tuesday, the ABC News Facebook page was briefly overtaken by a hacker who exploited a compromised staff account to gain access. The intruder uploaded two suggestive photographs featuring OnlyFans adult content creators, Bonnie Blue and Lily Phillips, alongside a shot of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese eating a hotdog. At one point, the cover image on the page was replaced with a photo of British porn star Bonnie Blue in a pink bikini, causing confusion among the audience.
Immediate Response and Deletion
ABC administrators acted swiftly to secure the page, removing the photographs and accompanying comments within a short timeframe. The audience's perplexed reactions, such as comments like "Where's Bonnie gone" and "Bring Back Bonnie," were also deleted as part of the cleanup effort. An ABC News spokesperson confirmed the breach, stating, "Earlier today, a compromised staff account resulted in unauthorised access to the ABC News Facebook page, where several images were briefly posted. Access was quickly secured, the content removed, and an investigation is under way to review and strengthen our security controls."
Background on the Figures Involved
Bonnie Blue, one of the adult performers featured in the hack, has previously made headlines for controversial claims, including announcing she had slept with 1,057 men in 12 hours, which led to her being banned by OnlyFans. Her story was later examined in a Channel 4 documentary that followed her for six months. This context adds a layer of notoriety to the images posted during the security incident.
ABC's Digital Presence and Trust
As Australia's most trusted news organisation, ABC News typically posts links to its stories on social media, maintaining a reputable digital presence. According to Ipsos Iris data, the ABC is the most popular digital news site in Australia, with a monthly audience of 12.9 million. In 2023, the broadcaster scaled back its social media footprint by closing most individual programming accounts on X (formerly Twitter) but has remained active on Facebook. Additionally, the ABC has shifted resources towards platforms like TikTok and Instagram, recently hiring nine creators from over 550 applications for its creator program to enhance its content strategy.
Ongoing Investigation and Security Measures
The ABC is now focused on investigating the security breach to prevent future incidents. The investigation aims to review and strengthen security controls, ensuring that such unauthorised access does not recur. This event highlights the vulnerabilities in social media management and the importance of robust cybersecurity protocols for major news organisations.
This breach serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by media outlets in maintaining secure online platforms while engaging with large audiences. The ABC's prompt response and commitment to improving security measures underscore its dedication to upholding trust and integrity in its digital operations.
