iTaukei Affairs Ministry Facebook hacked – again

The official Facebook page of Fiji’s Ministry of iTaukei Affairs has been hacked for the second time, prompting fresh concerns about cybersecurity protocols within government institutions.

With over 92,000 followers, the ministry's Facebook page serves as a critical communication channel to engage with the iTaukei community — one of Fiji's largest indigenous groups. The ministry is tasked with developing and implementing policies that support the welfare, cultural preservation and governance of the iTaukei people. It oversees several vital agencies, including the iTaukei Land & Fisheries Commission and the iTaukei Institute for Language & Culture.

The repeated breach has raised alarm not only for the potential spread of misinformation but also for the broader implications on the ministry’s digital security infrastructure. It remains unclear how the attackers gained access or what their motives were.

In an interview, Minister for iTaukei Affairs Ifereimi Vasu confirmed the page had once again been compromised and that the ministry’s IT personnel were actively addressing the situation. “There must be something happening that makes this issue happen,” he said, adding that the ministry is “working very hard to identify the reasons behind this issue.”

Minister Vasu has highlighted as of now, no sensitive or confidential information had been leaked, although the investigation is still ongoing.

The ministry has faced increasing digital demands in recent years, as it continues to expand its services and outreach efforts across online platforms. Given its responsibility to safeguard iTaukei cultural heritage and land records — some of which are historically and politically sensitive — questions are being raised about the strength of its digital safeguards.

This second breach suggests a potential vulnerability in the ministry’s cybersecurity framework, which may require urgent review and overhaul to protect both public information and internal operations. It also underscores the need for government institutions to invest in robust digital security systems amid a global rise in cyber threats targeting public entities.

As the investigation continues, the ministry has urged followers of its page to disregard any suspicious activity or messages originating from the compromised account and to follow official channels for verified updates.

The Ministry of iTaukei Affairs has not provided a timeline for when full access and functionality to the page will be restored.

Feedback: rariqi.turner@fijisun.com.fj