The decision to have cosmetic surgery is often something that people prefer to keep private, sometimes due to the stigma around enhancing or altering physical appearance. However, as cosmetic surgery becomes more affordable, and the types of treatments become more varied, large amounts of client information means that a cosmetic surgery data breach can represent a tempting opportunity for hackers.
The sensitivity of the information held by cosmetic clinics undoubtedly incentivises cybercriminals who are looking to misuse data for blackmail. They may believe that victims are more likely to give in to their demands to avoid any potential embarrassment from information exposure. We know how scary and precarious this situation can be, so we are able to help eligible victims to claim compensation for the exposure of cosmetic surgery data.
The impact of a cosmetic surgery data breach
A cosmetic surgery clinic will likely hold all the typical customer contact details, such as names, phone numbers, and home and email addresses. In addition, their databases will almost certainly contain information about the types of treatment patients have undergone, and maybe even photos of the patients before and after surgery, as well as sensitive medical records.
As such, a cosmetic surgery data breach could provoke all the usual consequences of data exposure, such as phishing (email scams), identity theft and credit card fraud. However, on top of this, there can be the added threat of intensely private information becoming public knowledge.
Cybercriminals who enact this type of data theft know how sensitive this information can be, and they may use this to their advantage in a form of attack known as ransomware. In ransomware attacks, a database could be hacked and a ransom could then be demanded in exchange for an agreement to hand back control of the database, or for an assurance that information will not be published or exposed online, and will be destroyed if it has already been captured.
Compensation claims for cosmetic surgery data breaches
If a cosmetic surgery clinic has failed to protect your data with sufficient cybersecurity measures, you may be entitled to claim compensation. This can be for the distress caused by the loss of control of your personal information, and for any financial losses or expenses that you have incurred due to the breach, if applicable.
In fact, because of the sensitivity of the data that can be exposed, the consequent distress can be regarded as extremely severe. This can mean that your compensation pay-out could be valued at a significantly high amount.
Alongside the considerable reputational damage that can fall on a cosmetic surgery clinic following a data breach, your compensation claim can help to hold the clinic to account for failing to protect your information.
Claiming with Your Lawyers – The Data Leak Lawyers
If you have been affected by a cosmetic surgery data breach, do not hesitate to contact Your Lawyers – The Data Leak Lawyers – for free, no-obligation advice on your potential claim.
Given our experience in high-profile medical breaches, such as the 56 Dean Street data breach, we understand how private patient information can be; whether it is medical data or plastic surgery data. When your data is exposed, your right to privacy is violated, and you are justified in fighting for the compensation you deserve