Claiming Compensation for the North Tyneside Council Data Breach

At The Data Leak Lawyers, we specialise in helping victims of data breaches, such as the North Tyneside Council data breach, to claim compensation for the harm caused by errors.

In December 2024, North Tyneside Council was reportedly involved in a data breach that exposed the email addresses of 143 parents of disabled children. The breach reportedly occurred when a council email was sent to multiple recipients without properly using the blind carbon copy (bcc) function, meaning the personal email addresses of all recipients were visible to everyone on the list.

This type of incident, whilst sometimes deemed “low risk” by organisations, can have serious privacy implications and cause distress to those affected. Victims in similar cases have successfully claimed thousands of pounds in compensation, and if you were affected by this breach, you could be entitled to a significant payout too.

Understanding the North Tyneside Council Data Breach

The North Tyneside Council data breach reportedly occurred due to human error although better systems should have been in place in our view. This mistake resulted in 143 parents’ email addresses being shared without consent, in violation of data protection laws.

Although North Tyneside Council quickly apologised for the incident, they assessed the breach as low risk and decided not to report it to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). However, even though the breach was not reported to the ICO, this does not negate the fact that individuals’ privacy was compromised, and affected parents may still experience worry and anxiety due to their personal information being disclosed to strangers.

Under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018, organisations have a legal obligation to protect individuals’ personal data. When an organisation fails to uphold this responsibility, as in the case of the North Tyneside Council data breach, victims may have the right to seek compensation.

How Much Compensation Could Victims Claim?

Victims of a data breach could claim compensation for both material damages and non-material damages. Material damages can refer to financial losses resulting from the breach, whilst non-material damages cover the emotional distress caused by the exposure of personal information.

In the case of the North Tyneside Council data breach, victims may not necessarily suffer direct financial losses, but the psychological impact of knowing that personal information was shared without consent can be significant. Feelings of anxiety, loss of control over one’s data, and distress can be common among victims of such breaches.

At The Data Leak Lawyers, we have helped data breach victims claim compensation in similar cases, with many clients receiving payouts amounting to thousands of pounds. We understand that whilst the financial compensation cannot undo the harm caused, it can provide a sense of justice and closure to those affected by data privacy violations.

How The Data Leak Lawyers Can Help You Claim Compensation

If you were affected by the North Tyneside Council data breach, you may have a legal right to seek compensation. The claims process may seem daunting, especially if you have never pursued legal action before, but that is where we come in. At The Data Leak Lawyers, we are experts in handling data breach claims, and we are here to guide you every step of the way.

At The Data Leak Lawyers, our experienced team can handle the entire process for you, from the initial assessment to negotiating a settlement, ensuring that your case is presented as strongly as possible. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation, and let us help you secure the compensation you may be entitled to.