GDPR Data Breach Claims
GDPR laws are a set of rules designed to protect personal data. They govern how businesses and organisations can use and store personal data.
Businesses don’t always manage customer data as they should under GDPR laws. Big companies are often targeted by hackers attempting to steal personal data, which can lead to large data breach claims and payouts for affected customers. Many types of data can be breached including credit and debit cards, bank accounts, NHS, and government breaches.
If you feel your data has been breached, you may be able to claim compensation. Our network of specialist data breach solicitors can help you make your case and increase your chances of success.
Get in touch today for a free case assessment and no-obligation quote for the services of an expert lawyer.
What are my rights under data protection law?
Article 5 of the UK GDPR laws set out seven data protection principles for companies to follow to protect their customer’s right to privacy:
Data must be processed lawfully, fairly, and transparently
Data collection must be for specific, explicit, and legitimate purposes
Data collection should be limited to what is necessary
Data must be accurate
Data should be held only as long as necessary
Appropriate security measures should be taken
A data controller must be able to demonstrate compliance with the data protection principles
Companies and institutions must embed these principles at the heart of their data processing policies. This is because data holders are accountable for the information they hold and must be able to demonstrate compliance with the data protection principles.
What are the consequences of a data breach?
Your data should be kept safe as, if it gets out, it can cause financial harm.
Incorrect data can also be harmful too. For example, if your medical records are incorrect, you might not get the right treatment. Similarly, mistakes by the police, like a false criminal record, can affect your life, including your job or prospects.
For businesses, breaching data protection rules can lead to big fines of up to £17.5 million or 4% of their yearly annual turnover, whichever is higher. They might also face a damaged reputation and lose the trust of customers.
How do I know if my data has been breached?
If you suspect your data has been breached, there are steps you can take to confirm it. Normally, the company should inform you via email or text, but sometimes it takes a while to realise and notify everyone. You can also contact the data controller to see if your data was involved in the breach. Online services can also help you check if your phone number or email has been compromised.
What is an example of a data breach claim?
Common examples of data breaches include:
Bank data breaches
Medical data breaches
Government agency data breaches
Police data breaches
Data breaches caused by FOI requests
Social services data breaches
School data breaches
App and website data breaches
Charity data breaches
These sectors are the most common for data breaches, and if your data is breached in any of the above, you may have a data breach claim.
The following examples of data breach examples are taken from the Information Commissioner’s Office:
A hospital suffers a breach that results in accidental disclosure of patient records. There is likely to be a significant impact on the affected individuals because of the sensitivity of the data and their confidential medical details becoming known to others. This is likely to result in a high risk to their rights and freedoms, so they would need to be informed about the breach
A university experiences a breach when an employee accidentally deletes a record of alumni contact details. The details are later re-created from a backup. This is unlikely to result in a high risk to the rights and freedoms of those individuals. They don’t need to be informed about the breach.
What should I do If my data is breached?
If you discover a data breach you should:
Follow the guidance provided by the data controller, if they've informed you about the breach.
Secure your accounts, especially those flagged in the breach notification. Always follow best practices for passwords to reduce this risk.
Consider setting up a fraud alert, which notifies lenders processing credit applications that you may be a victim of fraud or identity theft.
Monitor your financial accounts for any suspicious activity.
Who can claim compensation for a data breach?
You're eligible to claim compensation for a data breach under GDPR if the breach occurred due to wrongful actions by the data controller, such as negligence, and if you've suffered damage, either financial or emotional, as a result.
If you've been offered free credit monitoring, this could also support your claim.