Western Sydney University is working closely with NSW Police as part of a broader investigation into multiple cyberattacks that have occurred since 2021.

Kingston, who previously studied electrical engineering and served as a general officer for the university's Queer Collective in 2024, now faces serious legal repercussions for her actions.

The cyber incidents have caused considerable disruption and financial costs to Western Sydney University, highlighting the technical skill demonstrated by the hacker.

Birdie Kingston, a 27-year-old former student of Western Sydney University, has been charged with hacking into university databases and threatening to sell student information on the dark web.

Authorities allege that Kingston's hacking activities were driven by unresolved grievances with the university that had persisted for several years.

The hacking incidents reportedly began in 2021 when Kingston initially sought to exploit the university's systems for cheaper parking.

Kingston's actions escalated from altering her academic results to threatening to leak private information, impacting hundreds of students and staff.

By November 2023, Kingston had reportedly demanded a cryptocurrency ransom of approximately $40,000.

The investigation into Kingston's hacking began in 2023, leading to a search warrant executed at her residence in September, although no charges were filed at that time.

Kingston was arrested on June 24, 2025, during a police search of her home in Kingswood, where authorities seized electronic devices and charged her with 21 offenses.

Among the charges, Kingston faces 10 counts of accessing or modifying restricted data and obtaining financial advantage by deception.

While there have been reports of a significant data breach at the university affecting over 7,500 individuals, it remains unclear if this incident is linked to Kingston's actions.