The seriousness of data breaches

When third-party companies fail to protect personal data, the consequences can be severe. Yet despite the seriousness of data breaches for the victims, some organisations continue to neglect their data protection duties.

It can be worrying to learn that your information has been unlawfully processed or exposed to misuse, and this reaction is understandable. When a data breach occurs, it can be impossible to regain complete control over your personal information, as it may have already reached the hands of malicious cybercriminals and fraudsters.

While the damage caused by a data security incident cannot always be reversed, there is data protection legislation in the UK that can allow victims to claim compensation for any harm they have suffered. To help victims of the Virgin Media data breach, we have launched a group action in which anyone affected by the incident may be able to recover compensation.

The effects of data breaches

In accordance with the law, we are all entitled to strong data protection from the organisations to whom we disclose our private data. Unfortunately, compliance with the GDPR is not at the level it should be, which can leave some people vulnerable to data exposure. The seriousness of data breaches can be demonstrated by the harmful effects that they can have on the victims.

When a server is compromised or is left unsecure, it could become vulnerable to unauthorised access. Many hackers are on the lookout for vulnerabilities like this, as it can allow them to obtain thousands and thousands of personal data records.

Once the data is obtained, it is often put to misuse by cybercriminals. For example, contact details like email addresses and phone numbers could be used to target victims with scams, such as phishing or investment fraud. In other breaches, payment details may also be exposed, leaving bank accounts vulnerable to theft.

The seriousness of data breaches – why you could be entitled to compensation

The seriousness of data breaches is recognised by the law, meaning victims could be eligible to make a data breach compensation claim to account for the difficulties they have suffered. Significantly, it is not just the material and financial losses that can make victims eligible to claim, as it can also be possible to claim compensation for any distress or psychological injuries provoked by the incident.

In the case of the Virgin Media data breach, some victims may have suffered fraud due to being targeted by scams, but we expect that most of the claims may be brought on the basis of distress.

Join the Virgin Media group action today

In our Virgin Media group action, all the 900,000 victims of the data breach incident could be eligible to claim compensation for any harm caused. As specialists in data breach claims and group actions, Your Lawyers has played a role in several high-profile data breach cases, including the current Group Litigation Order against British Airways. While data controllers continue to underestimate the seriousness of data breaches, we are here to ensure that they are held to account.

Having represented clients for privacy matters since 2014, we have significant insight into this area of law and know what it takes to get our claimants the compensation they deserve. Simply register your details in our online form to access No Win, No Fee representation for your Virgin Media claim.

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