Asylum seekers could be compensated for privacy breach

Compensation could end up being paid to thousands of asylum seekers caught up in a massive online privacy breach.

Are asylum seekers who come to Australia on boats "queue jumpers"? Source: AAP

The data breach saw the personal details of almost 10,000 asylum seekers inadvertently made available on the Immigration Department's website for more than a week.

The Privacy Commissioner Timothy Pilgrim is examining 1600 complaints and a conciliation process is underway.

The commissioner has the power to make a broad range of orders including the payment of compensation.

Amnesty International says it welcomes the Commissioner's intervention but has a number of concerns.

Amnesty's Serina McDuff spoke with Greg Dyett