Following a breach of Guntrader.uk, a website that leads in buying and selling of guns in the UK, it is understood that thousands of customers have had their names and addresses exposed. As a result of the Guntrader data breach, those who used the site may have reportedly had their personal information posted to the dark web.
The breach is particularly concerning given the safety risks of making the identities and potential whereabouts of gun owners known to potential criminals. As investigations continue, it is not yet clear how the data theft was allowed to occur. However, if it is found that Guntrader bears responsibility for the information exposure, it could be held liable for a breach of data protection law.
If you have been affected by the Guntrader data breach, we recommend that you come forward to seek legal advice, as there may be grounds for a compensation claim. It is always distressing to learn that your private information could be circulating in the public domain, so it is vital that any responsible parties are held accountable for the harm caused.
100,000 customer records stolen in Guntrader data breach
On Monday 19th July, Guntrader is understood to have learned that personal data had been stolen from its systems, resulting in approximately 100,000 customer records reportedly being published on the dark web. The Information Commissioner’s Office was then informed of the Guntrader data breach and is now investigating the incident, as are police and the National Crime Agency.
It appears that names and addresses were affected by the incident, with Guntrader seeking to confirm that details on gun ownership and the location of firearms have not been revealed.
Implications of the Guntrader data breach
Those who have used the Guntrader site will likely be worried about the exposure of their information and the potential misuse it could be subjected to. One gun owner expressed fears about his family being targeted by criminals; indeed, criminals in possession of customers’ addresses could seek to use this information to facilitate the theft of guns.
Shooting organisations are said to be cautioning victims of the breach regarding home security, advising them to ensure that all guns are kept under lock and key. Police seconded these calls for security, requesting that those affected by the breach make them aware of any suspicious activity.
The Guntrader data breach also raises concerns relating to the stigma around gun ownership. While Guntrader is a legitimate site, gun ownership is strictly regulated in the UK, and many owners will likely be concerned that their status could be revealed to the public given the judgement they may face.
Compensation claims for victims of data breaches
If you have been affected by the Guntrader data breach, it may transpire that you are eligible for a compensation claim. Sensitive information such as this should be kept as securely as the firearms sold by Guntrader. If it emerges that Guntrader did not do enough to protect the data they hold, it could be liable to pay damages to those affected.
Any victims of data breaches can come to leading data compensation experts Your Lawyers (t/a The Data Leak Lawyers) for free, no-obligation advice on eligibility for compensation claims. You can either contact our expert team directly or register your details for a call-back.