We focus on the latest news surrounding data breaches, leaks and hacks plus daily internet security articles.
There has been a large volume of gaming app data breaches in recent years, and it may well be a trend that’s set to continue as these kinds of apps grow in popularity.
Gaming apps are now used by millions across the world, and there are no doubt hundreds of even thousands of them to choose from worldwide. We’ve previously discussed the issues over many apps having poor security, which recently led to Facebook closing down links with hundreds of apps due to concerns.
Ultimately, people need to be careful. Not only do people need to consider who it is that’s going to be in charge of their personal information, but they also need to consider what happens if a security breach takes place.
Serious concerns have been raised over security issues that could lead to smart toy data breaches and children being at risk of contact from strangers or exposure to explicit content.
Consumer group Which? has reportedly identified serious security flaws in a number of smart toys that could lead them to being hacked or interfered with. They’re now calling on big name retailers like Amazon, Argos, John Lewis and Smyths to withdraw some “intelligent” and “connected” toys for sale this Christmas. They’re also calling on the government to introduce mandatory security standards for smart toy manufacturers.
We’ve talked in the past about the dangers of smart toys and the “Internet of Things” as greater connectivity opens more doorways for cybercriminals. In the run up to the festive season, the consumer group’s findings are set to cause justifiable concern.
There’s been an NHS South Central and West data leak. It’s a familiar story in terms of how the leak has happened and the fact that it appears to have been very preventable.
In this latest incident, thousands of families have reportedly been sent letters encouraging the uptake of flu vaccinations for children. Unfortunately, due to a “mail merge error”, names and addresses for children were somehow mixed up. The result of this is that parents and carers have received information for other people’s children.
Another huge leak that may have been entirely preventable that took place owing to events that have taken place before. NHS data breach compensation claims are one of the most common types of cases we take forward because of how often these kinds of incidents happen, and it’s clear to us that more needs to be done to prevent them from taking place.
The Sweaty Betty data breach incident appears to be another case of cybercriminals using malicious code in checkout systems to steal sensitive information.
We’ve literally seen this before. Two of the big recent examples are British Airways and Ticketmaster; both of which are thought to be attacks carried out by the same group of hackers. Inserting code into checkout systems can lead to personal details and payment card data being exposed and that’s exactly what has happened in the Sweaty Betty case.
Anyone who has been affected in England and Wales may be entitled to bring a claim for data breach compensation, and we can help.
The impact of hospital data breaches can be incredibly severe given that we’re talking about some of the most personal and sensitive information there can be.
This can mean that the victims of this kind of medical data breach can suffer more, and it can also mean that hospitals are a bigger target for hackers.
As expert data protection lawyers, we can tell you from years of real experience in fighting for the rights of data breach victims that these kinds of legal cases need a specific approach. When it comes to sensitive medical data that has been exposed, data breach compensation amounts can be higher, and it takes specialist lawyers like us to make sure you get the best representation possible.
Government data breaches can be incredibly serious, and when you look at why, it’s obvious. Victims of these kinds of data breaches should know their rights for justice as well, and this goes for both national and local government organisations.
I heard recently that a survey suggested that some IT bosses in the public sector consider that the data they hold is not as valuable as data in the private sector. Clearly, some of these individuals do not grasp the gravity of the extent of data that’s stored and processed by public sector organisations and would do well to consider this.
Given the nature of the data that they hold, and for how many people, any breach, leak or hack can be serious.
If your medical records are lost, you may be entitled to bring a legal case for compensation as a result of any understandable distress that can be caused.
When we think of medical data breach compensation claims, many people think of the obvious exposure and misuse incidents. But the loss of medical records can still be a loss of control of personal and sensitive information, and such incidents must be treated with same seriousness. The distress that can be suffered can be just as bad, especially when people are left with no idea as to where their private data has ended up, and who may have seen it.
At the end of the day, lost medical information could end up in the wrong hands, and the same loss of control worries apply.
There has reportedly been yet another Three data breach, and the circumstances for the incident are almost the same as a previous one; which is worrying.
According to The Register earlier this month, there has been yet another case where people have been able to see the account information for other customers when using Three’s website. With the phone provider said to have around 10 million customers, any data breach they suffer could be monumental.
This isn’t the first time this exact problem has happened, and we have represented victims for Three data breaches in the past as well.
You can be entitled to make a claim for compensation if you have been the victim of a university cyber breach and your data has been misused or exposed.
It’s important to remember that higher education facilities like universities hold a wealth of information about a lot of people. It can include the usual personal information as well as financial data for fees, and medical and domestic data to ensure that the needs to students are met. When it comes to mitigating circumstances, the information that could be held for students can include some incredibly personal and sensitive information.
Universities can also be a major target for cyber criminals because of the research data that they hold. The information for students and employees can easily get caught up in such an attack as well.
A victim of a police computer data breach can be entitled to make a claim for compensation for any distress or loss that’s suffered.
Ultimately, we treat a police data breach in the same was as any other. The police and their employees are not above the law, and they too must abide by the data protection laws and principles we have here in the UK. As such, any breach can lead to a victim being able to make a claim, and we can offer No Win, No Fee representation.
As experts in data breach compensation claiming, having been helping people (thousands of them!) specifically in this niche area of law for several years, we can help you.
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