Claiming Compensation: Your Legal Rights in Southend Council Data Breach
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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 NowLegal rights in Southend council data breach: In 2023, the Southend-on-Sea City Council data incident exposed the sensitive personal information of over 2,000 individuals, including staff, former employees, and councillors.
This incident, caused by human error in handling a Freedom of Information (FOI) request, left victims vulnerable to identity theft, financial fraud, and emotional distress. The Data Leak Lawyers is committed to helping those affected exercise their legal rights in the Southend council data breach to secure rightful compensation. This article outlines the breach, your entitlements, and how to pursue a claim.
On 17 May 2023, Southend-on-Sea City Council uploaded a spreadsheet in response to an FOI request, believing it contained only anonymised data. However, the spreadsheet, accessible to anyone with basic spreadsheet skills, included names, addresses, National Insurance numbers, and some special category data reportedly of 1,854 current staff, 276 former employees, and 169 others, including councillors.
The council removed the spreadsheet on 27 October 2023, after discovering the error, and self-reported to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). This breach underscores the importance of understanding your legal rights in the Southend Council data breach, as victims may face long-term risks like fraud or emotional harm.
Under the UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018, you may have legal rights in Southend Council data breach compensation claiming to pursue a case for material damages (e.g., financial losses) and non-material damages (e.g., distress or anxiety). The council, as the data controller, is obligated to protect your information and notify you promptly of any breach risking your rights and freedoms. Their failure to implement proper checks before releasing the spreadsheet can constitute negligence, making them liable for damages.
You do not need to have suffered financial loss—distress alone can be sufficient grounds for a claim. The Data Leak Lawyers can help you gather evidence, such as breach notifications or proof of harm, to strengthen your case and maximise compensation.
The Data Leak Lawyers is a leading expert in data breach claims, representing thousands in group actions, including those affected by the Southend-on-Sea City Council breach. We can operate on a no-win, no-fee basis, ensuring you face no worries. Our group action approach can unite victims to amplify the impact of claims, as seen in our successful settlements averaging over £6,000 per claimant.
You have a set period of time to file a claim, so act quickly. We can handle all aspects, from evidence collection to court proceedings, keeping you informed throughout. Do not let this incident go unaddressed—exercise your legal rights in Southend council data breach claiming with our support.
Start Your Claim Today
When it comes to claiming in the Southend council data breach litigation, we are here to help you now. If you were affected by the Southend-on-Sea City Council data breach, now is the time to act.
The Data Leak Lawyers is here to help you claim the compensation you deserve for the distress and risks caused by this incident. Join our group action to strengthen your case and hold the council accountable.
Take the first step towards justice and secure your rights today.
