Concerns over mobile apps cybersecurity

We often see mobile apps cybersecurity issues and events in the news. As the use of apps and mobile technology continues to grow, we fear there may be more incidents to come.

And some of those incidents could lead to a great deal of data being exposed or misused for a lot of people; perhaps even millions in a single event.

As data breach compensation experts, we often deal with cybersecurity compensation claims, and many stem from apps. This includes the We-Vibe group action we’re representing victims for, which saw particularly personal and sensitive data for thousands of people misused. We can represent victims for cases on a No Win, No Fee basis, and we’re always happy to offer no-obligation advice.

Mobile apps cybersecurity worries

There are plenty of reasons to be worried when it comes to mobile apps cybersecurity issues, especially because things like safety and protection for specific apps is not considered by many users when they download new apps.

There’s somewhat of a lack of consistency in approach from the many developers and companies out there who are behind the millions of apps that are available. This can mean that security can be somewhat of a lottery, and people could be ‘sleepwalking’ into decisions that may lead to their information being misused or exposed.

The size and scale of the market for apps is huge which can make them a clear target for hackers. We know that apps are a target, and they can be caught up in wider breaches too. The BA Group Action that we’re on the Steering Committee for involved data being exposed through the use of their mobile app as well as through their website.

How do users stay secure?

It’s hard to advise people in terms of avoiding mobile apps cybersecurity issues when there are millions out there on the market.

Security researches have conducted tests and previously found that there are dozens of leading apps that are classed as poor when it comes to good security and privacy. With apps having so much access to information on a device – including financial, contacts and location data – one security flaw could lead to a significant breach. If the transfer and communication of data is not secure, hackers could intercept information, and the widely used trick of inserting malicious code into scripts has proven successful and has resulted in a number of high-profile events.

And where do we start when it comes to privacy notices and how data is really being used and shared? Does anyone really go through the T’s and C’s of an app with a fine-tooth comb to fully understand what’s what?

There’s always the recommendation for people to research companies and only ever use apps from well-known organisations and developers. But when companies as big as BA are getting hacked, can we fully trust anyone these days?

What can victims do?

The law is clear when it comes to the duties that organisations have for protecting data, and the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) can now issue monumental fines for breaches.

Victims of mobile apps cybersecurity incidents can be entitled to make a claim for compensation with us on a No Win, No Fee basis, and you can find out more by contacting our team for help and advice today.

A single breach could lead to personal data, contact information, photos and media files, location data and financial data all being exposed. When we assess data breach compensation values in cases like this, we take into account the extent and the severity of the data, which in claims like this can be significant.

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