header-logo header-logo

16 October 2019 / Elizabeth Bardsley
Issue: 7864 / Categories: Features , Insurance / reinsurance , Data protection , Technology
printer mail-detail

Data breaches: a personalised response

Elizabeth Bardsley explains why tailoring response to identity can help data controllers avoid breach claims
  • When a data breach occurs, controllers need to act fast but also consider the identity of the individuals concerned.
  • Appropriate responses may vary. Consider factors such as potential resentment against the controller, employment status and age.

Following a personal data breach, what can data controllers do to limit their exposure to data breach claims? And to what extent should breach response be shaped by the identities of the data subjects themselves?

The rise in data breach claims has been well reported. This is largely a direct result of the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) giving data subjects a statutory right to claim compensation for non-material damage in addition to material (financial). Claimants can therefore seek awards for inconvenience or distress caused by the loss or unauthorised disclosure of their data; a much lower threshold than earlier data protection law.

This, along with the onerous notification obligations the GDPR places upon data controllers,

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Jurit LLP—Caroline Williams

Jurit LLP—Caroline Williams

Private wealth and tax team welcomes cross-border specialist as consultant

HFW—Simon Petch

HFW—Simon Petch

Global shipping practice expands with experienced ship finance partner hire

Freeths—Richard Lockhart

Freeths—Richard Lockhart

Infrastructure specialist joins as partner in Glasgow office

NEWS
Talk of a reserved ‘Welsh seat’ on the Supreme Court is misplaced. In NLJ this week, Professor Graham Zellick KC explains that the Constitutional Reform Act treats ‘England and Wales’ as one jurisdiction, with no statutory Welsh slot
The government’s plan to curb jury trials has sparked ‘jury furore’. Writing in NLJ this week, David Locke, partner at Hill Dickinson, says the rationale is ‘grossly inadequate’
A year after the $1.5bn Bybit heist, crypto fraud is booming—but so is recovery. Writing in NLJ this week, Neil Holloway, founder and CEO of M2 Recovery, warns that scams hit at least $14bn in 2025, fuelled by ‘pig butchering’ cons and AI deepfakes
After Woodcock confirmed no general duty to warn, debate turns to the criminal law. Writing in NLJ this week, Charles Davey of The Barrister Group urges revival of misprision or a modern equivalent
Family courts are tightening control of expert evidence. Writing in NLJ this week, Dr Chris Pamplin says there is ‘no automatic right’ to call experts; attendance must be ‘necessary in the interests of justice’ under FPR Pt 25
back-to-top-scroll