Media watchdog seeks more answers on Optus data breach

The Australian Communications and Media Authority says it will be several months before the conclusion of the probe into whether Optus failed in its obligation as a telecommunications provider in the wake of the breach.

Almost 10 million Optus customers had their personal information stolen during last year's breach, including passport, licence and Medicare details.

The watchdog launched an investigation in the wake of the breach, examining how the company obtained and protected data.

ACMA chief executive Nerida O'Loughlin told a Senate estimates hearing the watchdog had not yet formed a view on whether Optus had breached any laws.

"We have used our information-gathering powers to receive quite a significant amount of information from Optus to date," she said.

"Recently, we went back to Optus with another series of information-gathering notices ... and we'll be reviewing that information over the coming weeks."

Ms O'Loughlin said the watchdog was examining the information as quickly as possible, although she did not give a date for when the investigation would finish.

"We said at the beginning of this process it will be a complex investigation," she said.

"We're going through it as quickly and as thoroughly as we can, and I expect the result in the coming months."

Multiple agencies set up similar probes into Optus following the data breach, including the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner.

Australian Associated Press