Safestyle UK cyberattack: data stolen for hundreds of thousands

Safestyle UK cyberattack: media reports say a ransomware attack could affect some 400,000 customers, with hackers demanding 4m pounds in Bitcoin.

We look to be in the midst of yet another major cyberattack here in the UK. Safestyle looks to be joining the long list of other companies that include TalkTalk, Equifax, British Airways, Ticketmaster, easyJet, and others who have been involved in events where personal information has been exposed.

We represent thousands of clients for privacy breach cases, including against the companies named above. We are now closely monitoring developments in this latest cyberattack that has been announced over last weekend.

About the Safestyle UK cyberattack

According to the Daily Mail, the Safestyle UK cyberattack could affect as many as 400,000 customers whose details have reportedly been stolen by hackers. It is understood that that this is a ransomware attack with £4m in Bitcoin being demanded by the hackers who are threatening to sell the exposed information on the dark web if their demands are not met.

We have yet to see any direct comment from the company about the issue, but angry customers are understood to have been unable to contact the company since the start of this week. It is understood that details that may have been exposed in the attack could include names, email addresses and telephone numbers.

A typical type of incident

Unfortunately, the Safestyle UK cyberattack does not come as much of a surprise to us, nor does the news that it is a ransomware incident with digital currency being demanded. Information has a value, and that is why all organisations are responsible for ensuring that it is properly protected.

Whilst we have no idea as to whether Safestyle is guilty of failing to deploy adequate cybersecurity or not, this will be a factor to be considered in the event that legal action follows this event. Your Lawyers, as leading Data Breach Compensation experts, are used to seeing this kind of event – and it can lead to victims whose personal information has been exposed being able to pursue data breach compensation claims.

We will be monitoring developments in this incident but, in our experience, it seems likely to us that the personal information involved will be exposed in some way. Advice from the authorities is usually for organisations to not pay ransom demands but, even if they do, this does not necessarily mean the criminals will then delete the data that they have managed to gain access to.

Could this lead to data breach claims?

The Safestyle UK cyberattack could lead to anyone affected being able to pursue a data breach claim on a No Win, No Fee basis. We will need to wait for further developments, and we will need to investigate as to whether the company is responsible for failing to adequately secure the information involved. But anyone who is notified that they have been involved could be eligible to pursue a data breach claim to compensate them for any distress caused by the loss of control of their personal information.

If you do receive notification that your personal data has been exposed, or for help with any other data breach matter, please do not hesitate to contact the team for free, no-obligation advice.

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