Hackers publish personal police data

A group of computer hackers based in Austria has published the names and addresses of nearly 25,000 police officials, a move that critics say compromises the individuals' personal security.

Police said the data hacked by AnonAustria contained private information for at least 24,938 law enforcement officials, ranging from beat officers to senior commanders.

Walter Scharinger, an official of the country's police union, said the situation was worrying for officers who might be come targets for revenge attacks by criminals.

On its Twitter account, AnonAustria justified its actions by saying that it was protesting against a draft law that was intended to require telecommunications companies to make details of telephone and internet activity available to police for six months.

According to the Austrian Independent Online website, the country's interior ministry blamed a source close to the police for the leak.

Austria's State Office of Criminal Investigation said it was is looking into the case. AP