Medibank share price slides following latest blows from hackers and customers

Medibank was hit by a major data breach on 12 October, exposing key details from some 9.7 million customers.

| More on:
a group of business people sit dejectedly around a table, each expressing desolation, sadness and disappointment by holding their head in their hands, casting their gazes down and looking very glum.

Image source: Getty Images

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

The Medibank Private Ltd (ASX: MPL) share price is currently down 3.2% to $2.74.

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) health insurer is again making headlines today for the massive data breach it suffered on 12 October.

Cybercriminals managed to access the name, date of birth, address, phone number and email address of 9.7 million current and former customers. The hackers also accessed health claims data for some 480,000 customers.

Yesterday the Medibank share price closed higher after the company said it would not pay any ransom to the hackers.

Why is the Medibank share price under pressure today?

The renewed pressure on the Medibank share price looks to be coming from two fronts: its disgruntled customers and the hackers.

On the hacking front, the purportedly Russian hackers have threatened to publish the stolen data of all the customers unless their demands are met.

As The Australian reports, the hackers have urged people to sell their Medibank shares, while delivering this threat, "A man who has committed a mistake and doesn't correct it is committing another mistake. –Confucius… Data will be publish in 24 hours."

In separate headwinds for the Medibank share price, the health insurance giant is facing a class action suit, as The Motley Fool reported here earlier today.

Bannister Law Class Actions and Centennial Lawyers have stated that they will jointly investigate the cyber breach.

"The lawyers will also assess whether damages should be paid to Medibank customers as a result of their breaches," Bannister said.

How has Medibank been tracking?

The Medibank share price has yet to recover from the sharp sell-off the company faced following the hacking attack in October.

With today's intraday losses factored in, shares are down 20% year to date. For some context, the ASX 200 is down 8% in 2022.

Motley Fool contributor Bernd Struben has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

More on Healthcare Shares

A senior pharmacist talks to a customer at the counter in a shop
Healthcare Shares

Is it too late to buy Sigma shares to cash in on the Chemist Warehouse deal?

Can investors still make healthy returns with this stock?

Read more »

Shot of a scientist using a computer while conducting research in a laboratory.
Healthcare Shares

Why the Mesoblast share price is diving 18% after an FDA win

Investors are sending the Mesoblast share price tumbling on Friday. But why?

Read more »

A happy doctor in a white coat dancing due to his excitement over the EBOS acquisition
Healthcare Shares

Mesoblast share price rockets 30% on big US FDA news

Big news is giving this biotech a huge lift on Thursday.

Read more »

Two scientists in a Rhythm Biosciences lab cheer while looking at results on a computer.
Healthcare Shares

Guess which ASX healthcare stock is jumping 12% on Wednesday

This shares is rocketing this morning. But why? Let's find out.

Read more »

Man holding out Australian dollar notes, symbolising dividends.
Healthcare Shares

Here is the dividend forecast to 2029 for CSL shares

Can this blue-chip giant provide healthy dividend income?

Read more »

a doctor in a white coat makes a heart shape with his hands and holds it over his chest where his heart is placed.
Healthcare Shares

The best ASX 200 healthcare stocks to buy in 2025

These shares could give your portfolio a healthy boost next year according to Bell Potter.

Read more »

In the lab at work, the mature adult woman and young adult man smile as they review the results of their successful experimentation.
Healthcare Shares

ASX 300 healthcare stock lifts off on promising new results

Up 28% in a year, the ASX healthcare stock is leaping higher on Thursday.

Read more »

Doctor doing a telemedicine using laptop at a medical clinic
Healthcare Shares

If you'd invested $5,000 in this ASX 300 healthcare stock a year ago, you'd now have $30,000!

This stock has made millions for investors over just a few months.

Read more »