BA data breach fine of £183m sets new record

The BA data breach fine that’s set to be issued in the sum of £183m will be a record high since GDPR was put into legislation in May 2018.

In accordance with the new rules, GDPR fines can amount to 4% of a company’s global annual turnover. In the case of British Airways, their fine of £183m is understood to be 1.5% of their 2017 global annual turnover.

The fact that the fine is set to be so high reflects just how serious the 2018 data breaches incidents were. The British Airways compensation action is one of the over 40 different group and multi-party actions our lawyers are representing people in. You can sign-up to start a claim now on a No Win, No Fee basis here.

Record high BA data breach fine

The BA data breach fine that has been set at £183m will be a record high from the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).

Information Commissioner, Elizabeth Denham, said:

“People’s personal data is just that – personal. When an organisation fails to protect it from loss, damage or theft, it is more than an inconvenience.

“That’s why the law is clear – when you are entrusted with personal data, you must look after it. Those that don’t will face scrutiny from my office to check they have taken appropriate steps to protect fundamental privacy rights.”

Will the BA data breach fine mean compensation for victims?

The BA data breach fine is a separate thing to the action for compensation, although it can help the fight for justice in many ways.

The fact that the fine has been set at such a high level reflects how serious the ICO believe the data breaches were. It shows that British Airways has failed in their duty to protect the personal information that they process and store. Had they have done all that they ought to have done to protect people’s data, fines may not have been issued at all.

We welcome news of the fine, and we continue to pursue compensation for victims of the data breaches as part of the pending group action.

Joining the action for compensation

You can sign-up now for the compensation action, and we can represent you on a No Win, No Fee basis if you match our eligibility criteria.

We will be looking to use the BA data breach fine as part of the supporting evidence for ongoing case, and you’ve still got time to start a claim if you’ve yet to do so.