14 DAY TRIAL // Several Japanese government organizations have inadvertently exposed over 6,000 messages by failing to make sure Google Groups privacy settings were configured properly. Officials say they’ve been using the Google service because it’s convenient.
According to The Yomiuri Shimbun, the impacted organizations are the Environment Ministry; the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry; the Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Ministry, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry; and the Reconstruction Agency.
In addition, the Finance Ministry and the Defense Ministry are also said to have erroneously publicized emails about volunteer events, study meetings and official business communications.
The details of meetings with foreign officials, information on negotiations for an international treaty, and other communications exchanged between the government and the private sector have also ended up online.
Investigations have been launched by the impacted departments.
According to current regulations, officials must inform their superiors when external communication systems are utilized, and they must take precautions when confidential information is involved.