Claiming Compensation for the Southend City Council Confidentiality Breach in 2023
Sign-up to make a compensation claim today - use our quick and easy form to begin your claim for thousands in compensation.
Start Your Claim Now
Sign-up to make a compensation claim today - use our quick and easy form to begin your claim for thousands in compensation.
Start Your Claim NowThis significant Southend City Council confidentiality breach involved the disclosure of sensitive details like names, addresses, National Insurance numbers, salary details, pension scheme information, and equal opportunities data via an online spreadsheet.
In May 2023, the Southend-on-Sea City Council inadvertently exposed the sensitive personal information of over 2,000 individuals, including current and former staff, due to a mishandled Freedom of Information (FOI) request. The Data Leak Lawyers is dedicated to helping victims of this breach seek the compensation they deserve for the distress and potential harm caused.
This article outlines the impact of the breach, your rights as a victim, and how to pursue a claim with our expert legal team.
The Southend City Council confidentiality breach occurred when a spreadsheet, initially believed to contain only anonymised data, was uploaded online in response to an FOI request. It was later discovered that the spreadsheet reportedly contained sensitive personal and special category data of 1,854 current staff, 276 former employees, and 169 additional individuals, including agency workers and councillors.
This data was likely accessible to anyone with basic spreadsheet knowledge for five months until October 2023, when the council removed it and reported the breach to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). The ICO issued a reprimand, noting a lack of proper checks for hidden data, and the council has since updated its protocols. However, the exposure may have left victims vulnerable to identity theft, financial fraud, or emotional distress, making compensation claims critical.
Under the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018, individuals affected by the Southend City Council confidentiality breach may have the right to seek compensation for both material (e.g., financial losses) and non-material (e.g., distress, anxiety) damages. The breach, seemingly caused by human error and inadequate data protection measures, highlights the council’s failure to safeguard sensitive information
The Data Leak Lawyers has a proven track record, having recovered millions of pounds in data breach damages with an average payout of over £6,000 per claim. Victims could claim for emotional distress, even without financial loss, and our No Win, No Fee representation ensures access to justice without any worries.
The Data Leak Lawyers specialises in group action claims, uniting victims of the Southend City Council confidentiality breach to strengthen their case and maximise compensation. Our experienced legal team can offer tailored advice, efficient case management, and a commitment to fighting for your rights.
We can streamline the claims process, starting with a free, no-obligation consultation to assess your case. By joining our group action, you could benefit from collective strength, shared resources, and our expertise in navigating complex data breach cases.
If you were affected by the Southend City Council confidentiality breach in 2023, do not let this injustice go unaddressed. Claim with The Data Leak Lawyers today to start your compensation case – claim here now to complete our online form.
Join our group action now and let us fight for the justice and compensation you deserve.
