Tag: GDPR
Data protection laws breached in the Virgin Media case
The Virgin Media data leak that was revealed in early 2020 stemmed from what we consider to be clear breaches of important data protection laws, and justice must be achieved.
This is why we are able to represent victims of the data breach for a compensation claim on a No Win, No Fee basis. Because we are confident that we can succeed with the legal action that we have launched, we are able to work for our clients on the basis that we can waive our legal fees if the claim doesn’t succeed, subject to the terms and conditions in place (which we have to point out!)
Getting started is easy. All you need to do is start your claim for compensation here now if you have been affected, and you can join our group action without delay.
Malicious cyberattacks and data leaks
In the digital age, cybercriminals are constantly trying to take advantage of the huge online and cloud data stores used by many companies. Personal information is now a commodity for both legitimate businesses and malicious cybercriminals, with the latter often seeking to misuse data for financial gain. Data controllers must, therefore, defend against malicious cyberattacks on a regular basis, but many do not appear to be taking this threat seriously enough.
With the current climate of cybercrime as it is, it is unacceptable for companies to be negligent of their duties to protect personal data. In fact, in cases where data controllers fail to meet the mark, they may be liable for a breach of data protection law.
As specialist data protection lawyers, we firmly believe that we cannot afford to let companies off lightly in the wake of data breaches, or the problem of non-compliance may only exacerbate. We are, therefore, aiming to hold Virgin Media to account for its failure to protect personal data, as we believe that those affected are entitled to fair compensation for the harm caused even with the event not being a cyberattack but risking one taking place.
GDPR compensation for distress
Whether your personal information was accidentally disclosed in an email error, or it was stolen in a targeted cyberattack, there can always be side-effects to data breaches. The sensitivity of our personal information means that it can be worrying to learn of its exposure, yet the emotional impact of data breaches can be disregarded in favour of shocking accounts of fraud and theft. However, in accordance with the GDPR, compensation for distress can be recovered as part of data breach claims.
Since its inception, the GDPR has recognised the “material” and “non-material” impact of data breaches, such that both financial losses and distress can be seen as valid reasons for bringing claims. We can account for the specific impact the breach has had on you when valuing your claim.
In our Virgin Media group action, we are looking to help as many victims as possible to claim the compensation they deserve. Among the 900,000 UK victims of the incident, there will likely be varying levels of distress and financial loss, so it is vital that potential claimants do not underestimate their reasons for claiming. Your justification is just as valid as any other eligible claimant.
Claim for loss of control following a data breach
There are number of consequences to data breaches, with victims often suffering stress or anxiety, and sometimes becoming vulnerable to data misuse and cybercrime. Traditionally, data breach claims have been brought for reasons of distress and financial loss but, as this area of law continues to develop and gain traction, it is now also possible to claim for loss of control of personal data as part of this.
It is established in law that all organisations have a duty to protect the personal information that they hold, ensuring that appropriate data protection procedures are followed, and that strong cybersecurity defences are imposed. Unfortunately, despite the mass digitisation of personal information and the continuing evolution of hackers and cybercriminals, many companies still fail to take their data protection duties seriously.
Virgin Media is one among many companies to have compromised personal data in recent years, having been responsible for the exposure of around 900,000 people’s private information. We believe that Virgin Media must answer for its breach of data protection law, which is why we are taking on compensation claims for any victims affected by the incident. Victims can sign up for a legal case here now.
The dangers of ignoring cyberattacks
In order to ensure that they are effectively protecting personal information, all data controllers must constantly monitor potential cybersecurity threats, making use of specialist resources and employees to keep private information secure. However, despite the legal obligations they are under, some companies try to get away with ignoring cyberattacks or the risks they pose, and their negligence can amount to a breach of data protection law.
Data protection is all about prevention, with data controllers putting security measures in place in advance and consistently checking their reliability. In the case of the Virgin Media data breach, we believe that the company’s prevention strategy may have been insufficient and may, therefore, have allowed the incident to occur.
As many as 900,000 people were affected by the Virgin Media data breach, a figure that demonstrates how much damage can be done when organisations fail to protect personal information. We believe that those affected could be entitled to thousands of pounds in compensation, which is why we are taking on data breach claims in our group action against the company.
Data breach victims claim in the Virgin Media group Action
Data breach victims of the Virgin Media information leak that was revealed in 2020 have been taking part in a substantial legal action that our lawyers are spearheading for our clients.
Working on a No Win, No Fee basis for clients that are eligible to claim with us, claimants could receive an estimated £5,000.00 in damages each, as featured in the mainstream media. The claim is for the loss of control of their personal information, and for any consequential losses and expenses that may also have been incurred.
Here is a little insight into the progress of our action and where you need to go to sign-up for a No Win, No Fee legal case now.
The seriousness of data leaks
Despite the growing importance of cybersecurity and data protection, many companies still fail to comprehend the seriousness of data leaks. Countless data breach incidents are reported every day, and even damning press coverage does not seem to persuade companies to improve their data protection efforts.
Meanwhile, vast numbers of victims are on the receiving end of data leaks every day, and they know the consequences all too well. The stress and anxiety of a data breach can be a severe impact in itself, without the added possibility of cybercrime.
We believe that it is important to take action to ensure that companies grasp how important data protection is, and data breach claims can allow victims to hold data controllers to account. In our Virgin Media group action, we are aiming to recover compensation for thousands of claimants, all of whom had their data exposed due to Virgin Media’s negligence. If you were affected by the breach, you can sign up now to make your claim.
GDPR breaches and compensation claims
Introduced in 2018 in the UK, the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) has updated data protection law and the rights of those affected by data breaches. Applying to all businesses and organisations that hold personal information, the GDPR demonstrates the steps these parties must take to ensure data is protected. For data breaches, the law can enable them to claim compensation if they have been affected by GDPR breaches.
Although the GDPR has been in place for around three years now, many data controllers still fail to show enough recognition for their legal obligations. Towards the end of 2019, some reports suggested that approximately half of UK businesses were still not fully GDPR compliant yet, and it is unclear how much progress has been made.
In many cases, data breach incidents reveal a potential culture of negligence towards data protection within some businesses, highlighting the actions they failed to take to keep personal data secure. We believe that this is the case for the Virgin Media data breach, in which 900,000 UK consumers were affected by the exposure of their personal data. If more protections had been in place, the incident could potentially have been avoided, which is why all those affected could be entitled to claim compensation for the harm caused.
Data leak compensation claims
A data breach notification letter or email can be an incredibly worrying and stressful message to receive. All of a sudden, a company tells you that your private information has been exposed, meaning that it may be vulnerable to misuse. The shock of a data breach must not be underestimated, as it can leave victims feeling betrayed, frustrated and distressed. To act upon the sense of injustice they feel, many data breach victims may be able to make data leak compensation claims against the data controller responsible for the breach.
When a third-party organisation fails to protect your personal information, this may constitute a breach of data protection law. By contacting a law firm to make a claim, you are taking matters into your own hands, ensuring that the organisation can be held accountable for any damage that they have caused.
In the wake of the Virgin Media data breach, we wanted to give as many victims as possible a chance to make a claim. Using our expertise in data breach claims and group litigation, we have launched a group action against Virgin Media, which eligible victims can join to seek the compensation they deserve.
Data breach compensation claims
We often entrust our data to third-party organisations without a second thought, sometimes taking the safety of our information for granted. Everyone has a right to expect data protection to be guaranteed but, unfortunately, data controllers can often let us down due to needless human errors or system insecurities. Where data protection negligence has occurred, victims can be eligible to pursue data breach compensation claims for any harm caused.
We believe that the Virgin Media data breach is one such instance of data protection negligence. The failure to secure a database left around 900,000 UK people vulnerable to potential data misuse by cybercriminals.
In response, we launched a group action to help as many victims as possible to claim compensation for any harm caused. Virgin Media victims do not have to suffer in silence, and we can work together to ensure that the company is held to account. We are offering No Win, No Fee representation to those affected, so what have you got to lose by making a claim today?
