Category: GDPR
Hackers target personal data for criminal purposes
In this digital age, personal data has become a valuable commodity. It is often used for the legitimate commercial purposes of businesses, but it is also misused in criminal activity. Its worth means that hackers target personal data from many different sources, and by many different methods. The risks which we are exposed to as a consequence of data theft can be significant.
Unfortunately, companies often fail to properly secure the information that they hold, making it much easier for hackers to access. The failure to protect personal data sufficiently can often constitute as a breach of the GDPR, which enshrines each UK citizen’s right to have their data held securely.
Victims of the Virgin Media data breach can now claim in our group action to hold the company to account for exposing their personal information. If you were affected, you can register for your compensation claim today via our online sign-up form.
Cybersecurity systems breached in data leaks
With vast quantities of private information being held in digital format, most businesses and organisations rely on cybersecurity systems to safeguard the personal data under their protection.
The advanced technology available can mean that the majority of external cybersecurity threats can be parried automatically. However, there is still an element of user operation required in the running of these systems, so human errors can sometimes create holes in cybersecurity defences.
Sometimes, a cybersecurity failure can provoke a devastating data breach, as we saw in the case of the Virgin Media data breach that exposed the information of 900,000 people. We have launched a group action to help the victims achieve justice for the risks that they have been exposed to, and many could be entitled to thousands of pounds in compensation. To claim in our group action, you can use our online sign-up form to get started on this site.
Data breaches leave victims exposed to cybercriminals
Few consumers are able to keep track of the number of third parties that they have disclosed their data to, and many will place natural trust in the ability of these third parties to protect their personal information. Unfortunately, despite the fact that we have a legal right to expect proper data protection from all companies, sometimes, this duty may be breached, often leaving victims exposed to cybercriminals.
Once personal data is released into the public domain, it can be subjected to all kinds of misuse and it can be incredibly difficult to reverse the exposure. As such, it is important that those responsible for exposing information are held to account for any damage that may be caused.
The Virgin Media data breach resulted in the victims being potentially vulnerable to several forms of cybercrime as a result of what we consider to be severe data protection negligence. Eligible claimants could be entitled to thousands of pounds in compensation, so do join today if you were affected here.
Companies must have excellent cybersecurity teams
As a leading firm of data breach specialists, we believe that the demands of the digital age necessitate excellent cybersecurity teams in all businesses. In smaller companies, this may just mean one or two people dedicated to ensuring the systems are protected, but bigger companies with significant data handling responsibilities will often need an expert team to carefully consider their data protection strategies.
Unfortunately, many companies have yet to approach data protection with the careful consideration that it deserves. This can arise from using outdated methods, or hiring employees without the necessary expertise or diligence. The overall carelessness at some companies can often result in a data breach, with customers frequently bearing the brunt of the information exposure.
We believe that the neglect of data protection duties brought about the Virgin Media data breach, and we are determined to achieve justice for all the affected victims. If you suffered as a result of the breach, you may be able to join our group action and claim thousands of pounds in compensation.
What to do when personal data is exposed
Victims of data breaches can often feel helpless and anxious when they find out that their information has been leaked or stolen. When personal data is exposed, the impact can be dangerous, like we saw in the Virgin Media breach. As such, it is important that those affected know what actions they can take to protect themselves and seek justice for what has happened.
Beyond taking safety precautions, victims of data breaches may also be able to claim compensation from the third party that is responsible for their personal data being exposed. We believe that organisations that fail to protect private information and breach data protection law should always be held accountable, which is why we have been pursuing data breach claims and group actions since 2014.
One of our biggest lawsuits is our action here against Virgin Media on behalf of the victims of the company’s data breach. If you were affected by the Virgin Media data breach, you still have a chance to claim compensation, so sign up to get your case underway.
Data security training – a tool to prevent data breaches
Despite the necessity of cybersecurity and data protection measures for all businesses and organisations, there are frequently holes in their defences that can lead to the exposure of personal data. In fact, data breaches frequently occur as a result of human error, suggesting that many employees are poorly educated when it comes to data security training and their own responsibilities.
When hit by major data breaches, organisations often try to frame ‘human errors’ as honest, one-off mistakes, but they cannot get away with this as an excuse. They are obligated by law to protect personal information, which means that any victims of data breaches can have a right to claim compensation.
If you were affected by the Virgin Media data breach, you could be eligible for thousands of pounds in compensation, so sign-up today to make your claim.
Making a data security claim for the Virgin Media breach
Although data protection breaches hit the news with an alarming frequency, many people may not know what they can do when a third-party breaches their right to data privacy. Under UK law, anyone who is affected by an organisation’s failure to protect their personal data could be eligible to make a data security claim.
The news stories do not often detail the distress and loss experienced behind closed doors by those who have fallen victim to data breaches like the Virgin Media leak. As specialists in data breach claims, we have witnessed this suffering first-hand, which motivates us to help data breach victims achieve the justice that they deserve.
One of our latest group actions is this one where we are helping victims of the Virgin Media data breach to access compensation. Sign up to join the action here if you were affected and want to hold Virgin Media accountable for their actions.
Virgin Media incident showed we must all prepare for a data breach
Unfortunately, data breaches have become all too familiar in the news headlines. It seems like it is now an everyday risk for anyone who entrusts their private data to a third party. It is important that everyone – organisations and people – understand how to prepare for a data breach, and what they can do if the worst does occur.
Where companies fail to prepare, whether it’s due to poor cybersecurity or inadequate employee procedures, the victims may be forced step up and protect themselves as much as they can. In the Virgin Media data breach, the company failed to protect the information of mostly customers, and many victims have since had to manage the additional risks themselves.
You can also take a data breach incident into your own hands by making a compensation claim. Joining our Virgin Media group action can allow all affected victims to participate in the collective fight to achieve justice for the suffering and losses they have endured.
Businesses and organisations must have proper cybersecurity
Cybersecurity is an essential feature of any business or organisation, as it is included in data protection law and forms part of their duty to their customers or users. The Virgin Media data breach is a prime example of the wide-reaching effects that can occur when an organisation does not have proper cybersecurity measures in place.
In failing to have in place sufficient cybersecurity, Virgin Media caused the private data of around 900,000 UK people to be exposed, making them vulnerable to fraud and scams. We take breaches of data protection duties very seriously, which is why we launched a group action lawsuit against Virgin Media to help all the victims to pursue the compensation that they deserve. If you were notified of your involvement in the data breach, you may be eligible to join the action, so sign up today to participate in our fight for justice.
ICO investigations – latest news and fines
As the authority that monitors the application of the GDPR in the UK, the Information Commissioner’s Office investigates many of the data breaches that are reported to it each year. As far as the Virgin Media data breach is concerned, the ICO investigations are looking to lead to no fine being issued, but people can still make a claim for compensation.
The ICO has the power to impose huge fines on companies who have provoked data breaches through their own negligence of GDPR requirements. Many large corporations have felt the force of these penalties in recent years. However, data breach victims see nothing of these monies, and any fines are separate to legal actions for damages. As such, we launch data breach claims to bring compensation to the victims.
If you were affected by the Virgin Media data breach and wish to recover compensation, sign up and register your claim today. Even where no fine is issued at all, this does not mean the company is not liable. There are many reasons as to why fines may not be issued, and you can still be eligible to claim compensation. We are confident we can win the legal action that we have launched.
