Category: Latest
Recent British Airways data breach claim settlement – victims can still claim
It has recently been reported that one group of claimants in the British Airways group action have reached a settlement with the opposition. The action against the airline was initiated in response to their 2018 data breaches, in which hundreds of thousands of customers had their data subjected to unauthorised access. Although this initial British Airways data breach claim settlement has taken place, our claims against BA will continue until we win our clients the compensation that they deserve.
One law firm decided to negotiate a settlement of their claims, but due to an agreement of confidentiality, the number of the claims settled and the values of the compensation pay-outs have not been publicised. However, when compared with the 420,000 people affected by the data breach, we estimate that only a small subset of those affected have been awarded compensation so far.
We are continuing to pursue our legal action against BA, and we are confident that we will be able to succeed with the action and obtain damages for our clients. If you have yet to make a claim, make sure to start your legal case here now to avoid missing out.
Renault diesel emissions investigations lead to charge for carmaker
The Renault diesel emissions investigations in France have now given way to a charge relating to alleged deceit against the carmaker, whom prosecutors have reportedly accused of test-cheating and emissions software manipulation. Renault continues to dispute the allegations, but given the widespread emissions scandal affecting the car industry, the carmaker looks set to face further scrutiny in the courts.
In 2015, the Volkswagen ‘dieselgate’ scandal first hit the headlines after VW was accused of using illegal defeat device technology in its diesel vehicles as a means of manipulating their emissions output during testing. Since then, the majority of major carmakers have been subjected to similar allegations, leading to billions of pounds in fines and potential compensation pay-outs internationally.
Your Lawyers was the first firm to initiate formal High Court proceedings against Volkswagen in England and Wales, and were later appointed to the Steering Committee responsible for the overall conduct of the Group Litigation Order. Now, we want to ensure that all those affected by emissions irregularities have a chance to claim the compensation they could be entitled to in our emissions group actions.
Claim in the Porsche emissions compensation action
Ever since the news of the Volkswagen “dieselgate” scandal broke in 2015, we have been investigating allegations that several other carmakers may also have engaged in the use of potentially deceitful practices by allegedly deploying defeat devices to cheat emissions tests. Porsche is one such car manufacturer that we are looking into, and with Volkswagen as its parent company, we have reason to believe that Porsche vehicles may also be associated with emissions irregularities. We have already taken on many clients for Porsche emissions compensation claims, and we continue to take action for people affected now.
Many vehicle owners may have been affected, and it could be revealed that their cars were producing illegal levels of NOx emissions without their knowledge. If this is found to be the case, Porsche could be held liable for a breach of your consumer rights, meaning that they may have to pay out thousands of pounds in compensation to each of the affected owners.
Although there may be hundreds or thousands of owners who have been affected, you can only access compensation if you sign-up to claim before any court deadlines are imposed. This is why we urge anyone who thinks that they may be affected to start their claim ASAP, and you can use our simple online sign-up form to find out if you are eligible to claim now.
Diesel emissions claims
As pioneers of car emissions litigations, we have been taking on diesel emissions claims since 2015, the year when the news of the Volkswagen “dieselgate” scandal broke. Since then, it has emerged that a number of other car manufacturers may also have allegedly installed defeat devices in their cars to potentially cheat emissions testing.
We have recently launched a new wave of emissions group actions in an effort to see that as many affected car owners as possible can claim the compensation they deserve if allegations are proven to be true. Although many of the allegations remain unproven, we have taken it upon ourselves to broaden our emissions investigations to ensure that no stone is left unturned. To achieve real justice, it is essential that all breaches of consumers’ rights are accounted for where they have taken place.
In fact, we have aimed to make our emissions claims accessible to all by offering No Win, No Fee representation to all eligible claimants. Anyone affected by the car emissions scandals can register their claims with us online today, or contact our team for complementary advice.
The third anniversary of the GDPR
This May, we have reached the third anniversary of the GDPR, which was introduced in the UK and across the EU in 2018. Seen as a momentous event for data security, the General Data Protection Regulation was predicted to overhaul data protection policies in UK businesses and organisations, affording data subjects greater rights and securities.
Designed to update data protection for the digital age, the GDPR requires that all data controllers use the appropriate technical cybersecurity measures and organisational strategies when processing and holding personal information. To some extent, important changes have been made, but it seems many data controllers have yet to fully grasp what their legal obligations are under the GDPR.
Unfortunately, there has been no major downturn in the occurrence of data breaches over the last few years, which have left countless victims worrying about the mishandling and/or exposure of their private information. Over more than 6 years of representing victims for privacy matters, we have seen how profoundly victims have been affected by incidents. We will be here to support victims in making data breach claims for as long as organisations neglect their data protection duties.
Midlands News Association data breach causes exposure of journalists’ personal information
A report by HoldtheFrontPage has recently reported that the Midlands News Association has been faced with a data breach incident, after an unauthorised third party is understood to have accessed private folders.
It is believed that data relating to former journalists of the regional newspaper was published online after being downloaded. The MNA reportedly maintain that the published data is “difficult to download and access”, but the risks for the victims could be significant.
When a data controller fails to protect private information, they can be held accountable under the law here in the UK. The victims of data breaches can often be entitled to recover compensation for any harm caused to them. As such, anyone affected by the Midlands News Association data breach can contact us for advice on their potential claim. We may be able to offer No Win, No Fee legal representation.
Customers notified of Fat Face data breach
Fashion retailer Fat Face recently released an email to customers which has brought a data breach from earlier this year to the public’s attention. It is routine for companies to notify customers of data protection breaches, but this email comes a long time after the Fat Face data breach occurred, and reportedly included a request that customers keep the details of the breach private.
It has also been claimed that Fat Face paid a ransom to a cybercrime gang after the data breach occurred in January, but this allegation has yet to be confirmed by Fat Face itself or by ICO investigators.
Nevertheless, it is worrying that customers remained unaware of the breach for over two months, as it may mean that they may not have been vigilantly monitoring potential security risks or data misuse. If it emerges that Fat Face can be held liable for the breach, those who were notified of their involvement in the data breach may be eligible to claim compensation.
Birmingham City Council data breach
Following an error by council staff, the Birmingham City Council data breach has reportedly exposed the private details of residents, potentially including those of vulnerable children.
We understand that the breach arose as a result of the accidental publication of private information to a site that was freely accessible to members of the public.
Though the council has stated that the mistake was corrected quickly, it is nevertheless true that the victims’ data could have reached the hands of malicious people. Any situation in which personal data is exposed in this way should be treated seriously and, in many cases, it may be possible for those affected to claim compensation. It can also be possible to represent victims for a legal case on a No Win, No Fee basis.
SITA data breach affects hundreds of thousands of passengers worldwide
In late February, the SITA data breach was revealed as a powerful cyberattack, which comprised of a server holding information relating to hundreds of thousands of air passengers.
Labelled as “highly sophisticated” by the company, it is understood that the wide-reaching cyberattack has not affected “highly sensitive” data, but it nevertheless demonstrates that IT systems can be severely vulnerable as hackers continue to enhance and advance their methods.
In fact, it has long been apparent that travel companies are often vulnerable to cyberattacks. They hold a wealth of sensitive data about their customers, including passport details and payment card information. A such, airlines and hotel chains can be a prime target for hackers. British Airways, which is understood to be implicated in the SITA data breach, succumbed to two major data breaches in 2018, for which we are currently representing claimants in a group action.
British Airways group action deadline – do not miss your chance to claim!
The British Airways group action deadline has received a short extension to summer 2020, which may mark the final end as to when people can sign-up for a legal case and take part in the GLO.
The first BA data breach emerged almost three whole years ago in 2018, and The Group Action Lawyers has been taking on claims for almost as long. However, there are still thousands of customers who have still not made their claim yet.
If all 400,000 victims claim, they could be sharing a total compensation pay-out of up to an estimated £2.4 billion, according to current estimations based on case law and settled claims information. All you should need to claim is proof that BA notified you of your involvement in one of their two data breaches in 2018, so do not hesitate to register on the BA Group Action site here if you think you are eligible.