Data Protection | Massive Fines For Breach
Under the Data Protection Act 2018 (‘the Act’), the Information Commissioner’s Office (‘ICO’) has the power to fine a company up to £18m or 4% of its global annual revenue, whichever is the greater, for any breach of the provisions of the Act.
Helen Holder of Kangs Solicitors comments on fines that it is reported are being imposed.
Global Companies Fined
It has been reported in the press that:
- BA faces a £183m fine as the consequence of personal data affecting 500,000 customers being stolen from its website and mobile app. The fine equates to approximately 1.5% of BA’s worldwide turnover in 2018.
- The Marriott Hotel chain faces a fine approaching £100m following the theft of personal data belonging to
of339m guests by hackers. - Both companies are reported as intending to appeal against the fines imposed.
How Can We Help?
The level of the fines reported this week illustrates the dramatic increase under the Act of the power of the ICO. Previously, the maximum fine that could be imposed was £500,000, being the amount imposed upon Facebook following the ‘Cambridge Analytica’ scandal.
Clearly, this enormous increase in the level of fines which can be imposed for breaches of the General Data Protection Regulations could potentially seriously damage the financial stability of many a company which may fall into default.
The dedicated team at KANGS represents clients who are being investigated/prosecuted in respect of Regulatory matters of all types and at all levels, throughout the country on a daily basis.
Our team ensures that each client is properly guided and fully advised throughout the whole investigation and prosecution process.
If you have been contacted by the Police or any authority in respect of allegations of any Regulatory or other matter, please do not hesitate to contact us immediately through any of the following:
Hamraj Kang
hkang@kangssolicitors.co.uk
07976 258171 | 020 7936 6396 | 0121 449 9888
John Veale
jveale@kangssolicitors.co.uk
0121 449 9888 | 020 7936 6396 | 07989 521210
Tim Thompson
tthompson@kangssolicitors.co.uk
020 7936 6396 | 0121 449 9888 | 07989 521210
