Compensation Pack Blog

Compensation Pack Blog
Latest news from Compensation Pack, keeping you informed about your right to claim compensation.

Tuesday 14th June 2011 Sony Playstation Data Loss Launches Sony to Top 10 in The Largest Data Breaches of All Time

If you're anything of a gamer, or just read the news once in a while, we're sure that you would agree that it has been difficult to avoid hearing about the problems that Sony have been having in terms of data loss.

For those that need a re-cap, Sony lost the details of over 77 million accounts from the PlayStation Network, along with almost 25 million user accounts from Sony Entertainment Online, and that is just the start of their data loss problems.

That being said, we came across an interesting article online recently, titled the Largest Data Breaches of All Time. Interestingly Sony now occupies the 4th and 10th spots on the countdown of the greatest cases of data loss.

Sitting a number 10 in the chart, is the data breach of 2nd of May 2011, which saw the Sony Corporation hacked for 24 million data records, and at number 4 is the hack of the 26th April 2011 aimed at users of the Sony Playstation Network.

There are plenty of other notable names on the list, including:

Bank of New York, which lost 12 million records in September 2008
T-mobile, which lost 17 million records in October 2008
HM Revenue and Customs who let 25 million records

Sitting at the very top of the list is Heartland Payment Systems who, in January 2009, were hacked and lost 130 million records, leaving the subjects of those records vulnerable to fraud and identity theft.

Many of the victims of these cases of data loss have been entitled to compensation. If you have been involved in any of the data loss cases listed in the largest data breaches of all time, you could be entitled to compensation too.

Posted on June 14th 2011 on 04:35pm
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Labels: data loss, sony playstation network

Tuesday 31st May 2011 Sony Playstation Network Hack was Only the Beginning of the Data Loss Scandal.

Sony have yet more bad news to deliver on the data loss front, as they reveal that more than 8,500 Sony user accounts have now been hacked in countries including Greece.

Sony recently had to shut down the entire Sony Playstation Network and Qriocity services due to a massive case of failing to protect the data protection rights of it's users. It is now apparent that there has also been a breach in the Greek Sony Music Entertainment website, adding to the number of Sony services which have to now suffer downtime as a consequence.

Sony have been scrambling to make a come back from the previous hack and data loss problems on the Sony Playstation Network, in which data was lost from more than 100 million user accounts. Amongst the data that was lost were names, passwords, and addresses, all of which can easily be used in cases of stolen identity and financial fraud.

On top of this, Sony have also been unable to confirm that the credit card data of those 100 million plus users was untouched.

The Japan-based company have reported that they're likely to see around a $3.2 billion net loss for this fiscal year, which includes the insurance and damages that they will have to pay out to Playstation users who feel that Sony is in breach of their data protection rights.

If you are a Playstation user, and feel that you have a case in regards to data loss, due to the Playstation Network hack, download our data loss pack to find out more information, and whether you are able to go about claiming compensation.

Posted on May 31st 2011 on 05:02pm
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Labels: data loss, sony playstation network

Thursday 07th October 2010 Law Firm in Trouble Under Data Protection Act

It has been reported in the press over recent weeks that law firm ACS Law is under investigation by the Information Commissioners Office after they lost the personal data of thousands of private individuals. The details, which included names, addresses and credit card details were hacked and then leaked online, leaving questions about the firms data security measures.

The Information Commissioner will be responsible for investigating the circumstances surrounding the leaked data; circumstances which include claims of illegal file sharing and media downloads on the part of those whose details have been leaked, and determine what action is necessary. Steps taken against the law firm will be qualified under the provisions of the Data Protection Act.

A spokewswoman for the Information Commissioners Office said:

“ the ICO takes all breaches of the Data Protection Act seriously. Any organisation processing personal data must ensure that it is kept safe and secure. This is an important principle of the Act. “

The story is a prime example of why data protection is such a big issue and why it is important that organisations and companies have data protection measures in place, and take them seriously. As a result of the loss of data by ACS Law, there is now the fear that those people whose data was lost could be targeted by criminals who have downloaded the data. The victims of the data loss could see their credit cards being used fraudulently or even being targeted personally by people who have taken note of who they are and where they live.

The Data Protection Act was put in place for a reason and the Information Commissioners Office is at the ready to police and punish anyone who fails to abide by the legislation.

Posted on October 07th 2010 on 10:52am
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Labels: data loss

Wednesday 18th November 2009 Data Loss - T-Mobile Sells On Customer Data

It has been widely reported that T-Mobile UK is the latest company to join the ranks of data loss offenders. Tens of thousands of personal records for T-Mobile customers were sold on to rival mobile phone salesmen from inside the organisation, leaving customers vulnerable and open to harassment from mobile contract salesmen.

Amongst the data reported to have been sold on by T-Mobile workers are the names, numbers and contract expiry dates of tens of thousands of their customers, with the recipients of that information said to be salesmen who are increasingly turning to underhand and illegal tactics to capture customer data from their rivals.

Data loss is proving to be an increasing problem, with personal information swapping hands like a commodity on the black market for what is though to be millions of pounds. Stricter regulations and security protocols have been called for by the Information Commissioner, who is responsible for upholding the Data Protection Act.

Given the increasing severity of such data loss cases and the flippant manner in which such loses seem to be admitted, the Government has been asked to raise fines and add jail time to the list of punishments available for a company that is guilty of breaching the Data Protection Act.

If you have been a victim of such data loss, or think that your data may have been sold on, Compensation Pack offers information about what your rights are and how you can claim compensation.

Posted on November 18th 2009 on 12:09pm
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Labels: data loss, t-mobile