Exposing data – the role of data controllers

When a data breach occurs, it can cause reputational damage and immense costs for the company involved. Some companies may, therefore, seek to shift the blame for data exposure, dismissing it as a mere accident or as the unfortunate consequence of a cyberattack. It is vital that we ensure data controllers are held to account for exposing data, otherwise they may be able to escape their responsibility for any harm caused.

In fact, any third-party organisation in possession of your personal information has a legal duty to protect it in accordance with UK data protection law. Where they fail to do so, they could be liable to pay out thousands of pounds in compensation to those affected.

In our Virgin Media data breach group action, we are seeking to prove that the company bears the responsibility for its data leak, that exposed 900,000 people’s data. We believe that Virgin Media cannot escape this fact, and could be liable to pay compensation to all of those who are eligible to claim. You can go to our online form to check your eligibility to claim and join the fight for justice.

How can data controllers be responsible for exposing data?

A data breach can be provoked by a number of causes, from the most sophisticated cyberattacks to the simplest operator errors. In the case of the Virgin Media data breach, a wealth of mainly consumer data was revealed to have been exposed due to the failure to secure the database it was contained in.

In a statement, Virgin Media reported that the database had been “incorrectly configured” by an employee, a description that would seem to suggest that the incident arose due to a one-off, individual error. However, do not let this description of the incident distract from the company’s overall responsibility. As the data controller, Virgin Media bears ultimate responsibility for ensuring that data protection laws are observed, so the blame for exposing information does not solely reside with a single employee.

How do data breach claims work?

If we can determine that a data controller is responsible for exposing data or compromising information security, it may be possible to bring data breach claims against that data controller. In a claim, victims could be eligible to recover compensation for reasons including their involvement in a data breach, the distress they have experienced as a result, and for any financial losses or expenses incurred.

In the Virgin Media group action, all three of these factors may be taken into account in our claims. Victims could be eligible to claim an estimated £5,000 in damages.

Make your Virgin Media data breach claim

If you were notified of your involvement in the Virgin Media data breach, you could be eligible to recover thousands of pounds in compensation through our group action.

As specialists in consumer group actions and data breach claims, Your Lawyers has participated in a number of high-profile data breach cases, including the ongoing British Airways group action. We have the expertise to hold huge companies to account for exposing data, and to ensure that our clients get the highest possible compensation pay-outs. Moreover, we are able to offer No Win, No Fee representation to eligible Virgin Media claimants.

Get your compensation claim started here today.

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