PSNI data breach staff offered £7500 universal compensation

Police Service of Northern Ireland personnel affected by the 2023 personal data breach, involving the accidental disclosure of personal details belonging to all 9,400 officers and civilian staff, have been offered a universal compensation payment of £7,500 each. The Police Federation has described the offer as substantial progress, noting that it will allow many individuals to settle their claims and move on.

While the offer follows the allocation of £119 million by Stormont for damages, it is not considered a one-size-fits-all solution. Legal representatives have indicated that the flat fee may not be suitable for exceptional cases where individuals with identifiable names were left particularly vulnerable or suffered severe distress. These claimants may choose to continue with ongoing group legal actions in the High Court. 

However, to add insult to injury, the PSNI confirmed that some officers involved in the 2023 breach have had their names published on the NI Courts website. Following the discovery of the new breach, the Department of Justice (DoJ) clarified that it took immediate action and removed the online public court list.

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