Liberal Party Social Media Briefly Hacked With Explicit Images

The Liberal Party of Australia experienced a cyberattack on its official social media accounts late at night, resulting in the brief posting of explicit, AI-generated images promoting breast enlargement surgery. This incident occurred just hours after Sussan Ley, the party's first female leader, delivered a speech emphasizing the need to increase female representation and address the party's crushing recent election defeat. The unauthorized content appeared on the party’s Facebook and Instagram Stories for about 10 minutes before swift removal, and the party publicly apologized for any offense caused. Officials confirmed the breach originated from a compromised account of a third-party contractor and reported the matter to the Australian Cyber Security Centre and Meta. The timing of the hack compounded criticism of the party's ongoing struggles with gender issues and public image, as Ley highlighted efforts for cultural renewal and inclusivity. Investigations into the incident are ongoing, reflecting heightened cybersecurity vulnerabilities for political organizations during sensitive periods.