We focus on the latest news surrounding data breaches, leaks and hacks plus daily internet security articles.
An issue that has led to a number of NHS fax data breach incidents has been reported, after mix-ups with a similar fax number has led to information going astray.
NHS data breach compensation cases are some of the more common types of claims our expert team help people with. A lot of the data breaches are caused by such simple errors that can be easily avoided. Despite this, they happen way too frequently.
The news of the fax mix ups is another example of this and comes to light after the accidental recipients of the data contacted NHS England about the incidents.
The NHS fax data breach issue reportedly stems from GP surgeries and pharmacies accidentally sending data to the wrong number. The number they have been sending information to in some cases belongs to a hotel group who has then been receiving the faxes incorrectly.
Some of the data that has been sent to the wrong fax number includes medication requests, certificates and dispensing vouchers.
It’s understood that the fax number for the hotel group is similar to the ones used to send information within the healthcare system. The hotel group has notified the Corporate Information Governance Team for NHS England.
As a result of these NHS fax data breach issues, NHS England has reportedly reminded GP surgeries and pharmacies about the importance of checking numbers. As some have recently called for a move away from faxes and pagers within the NHS, it’s claimed that this fax system is apparently the only way of sending this data within the healthcare system.
It sounds like something needs to change.
Any medical data breach can cause a huge amount of distress to the victims. When we see these simple errors over incredibly personal and sensitive data, it’s clear to us that more needs to be done.
As a firm of lawyers who specialise in data leak cases, we know how bad a breach can be for the victim. It’s important for these simple and avoidable data breaches are stamped out.
We can help you make a claim for compensation as a victim of the massive Marriott data leak. Here’s a little about the latest since news broke of the incident.
OK, so we have some 500 million customers across the world who are potentially affected by the leak. The leak stems from a breach of their Starwood reservation systems since 2014 and has resulted in a wealth of data being exposed. As well as personal information, account details and bank card information has also been exposed.
Marriott has taken a number of steps in the aftermath of the breach, and legal actions have been initiated.
There’s been another huge security incident announced. This time it’s the 500px data breach that may have affected all 15 million of its worldwide users.
The Canada-based online photography networking platform (that also has an app) is understood to have identified security issue last year. However, it’s taken some six months for the organisation to discover that they’ve been breached.
The length of time that’s passed is particularly worrying. It means that victims of the 500px data breach may have already been targeted by criminals. Victims may have had no idea that their data had been exposed given that news of the breach has only just hit the headlines.
The typical answer as to the popular question “is your phone recording you?” is often “no”, according to many. However, you may not be aware that some things can be recorded, and you may not be aware of it.
According to a recent investigation by TechCrunch and The App Analyst, some popular apps may be recording user data without proper – or more explicit – permission or understanding. The investigation reportedly looked at a range of apps and found ways in which the companies or the developers could record and store data they may not have permission for.
That’s worrying; especially in the era of continual breaches linked to apps, and ongoing concerns as to how much the likes of Siri or Alexa are taking in when they’re waiting for our commands…
News of the Airbus data breach has hit the headlines over the last few weeks. As yet another aviation sector breach, the news is incredibly worrying.
It’s understood that some form of cyber incident has taken place. Airbus’ information systems for their commercial aircraft business appears to have been hit. As a result of the Airbus data breach, it’s understood that some personal data has been accessed, according to the company’s statement on the incident.
With Airbus not only being in the civil sector but also the military sector, this kind of breach is worrying. News of this breach comes just months after the monumental British Airways data breach we’re running an action for. The aviation sector is clearly being targeted.
A Deliveroo data breach “incident” is said to have been reported to the ICO who have confirmed that they’re making inquiries.
Back in 2016, the food delivery company faced scrutiny after customers complained of fraudulent transactions on their accounts. In some cases, it appeared the issues were down to people’s credentials being stolen in hacks completely separate to Deliveroo. Criminals had used stolen credentials to access accounts in cases where credentials were reused.
Deliveroo were subsequently criticised over what some customers felt was a failure to spot and stop fraudulent transactions. In this latest incident, it appears that history may be repeating itself.
OK, so do people claim data breach compensation? With many people not fully aware of their rights to justice, this can be a common question.
The answer is yes. We can tell you because we’re involved in over 20 different data breach group actions. On top of that, thousands have come to us for help over the years we’ve been representing victims claim data breach compensation. And thousands of pounds have been recovered for the people we help.
With more and more data suggesting that many consumers now look at an organisation’s history in terms of data breaches, it’s time for victims of incidents to know their rights for justice as well.
News of an OkCupid data breach has been denied by the company, although a “bug” has reportedly been found by a security firm anyway.
Some users reportedly complained of their accounts being hacked and taken over. As a result of a lack of additional security, like two-factor authentication – a lack of security apparently common in the dating site industry – some users were successfully targeted by criminals.
However, OkCupid denies that a security breach has taken place. That being said, a “bug” was reportedly identified by security researchers and has apparently been fixed.
Greater Facebook regulation is looking imminent after a year-long inquiry that included issues over the misuse of personal data.
The inquiry, launched in-part after the Cambridge Analytica scandal, comes after a spate of recent data breach incidents involving the social medial platform. The recommendations made by the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee include an independent regulator to oversee tech firms like Facebook.
It’s not been an easy process judging from the remarks of MPs and others involved with the inquiry. Facebook founder, Mark Zuckerberg, didn’t even come to the UK to answer questions himself, which has reportedly caused a stir.
The Mumsnet data breach hit the news last week, with dozens of accounts reportedly affected after a software upgrade caused a leak incident.
The parenting site is said to have reported themselves to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) already. The UK’s data watchdog will now have to decide whether the incident is serious enough to warrant any form of financial punishment for the incident. The Mumsnet data breach resulted in personal information for the affected users being exposed.
Any victim of a data breach can be entitled to claim data breach compensation for any distress and financial loss caused. We see these kinds of breaches all the time, and news of new breaches doesn’t come as a surprise to us anymore.
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