BDA members start legal action after hackers accessed data

Members of the British Dental Association (BDA) have launched legal action against the association following a data breachMembers of the British Dental Association (BDA) have launched legal action against the association following a data breach.

Arguing that more should have been done to protect their data, sort codes and account numbers – as well as private correspondence – are thought to have been stolen during the breach.

Taking place in July, the BDA confirmed it was targeted and its severs illegally hacked.

An investigation is currently underway in a bid to reveal the full extent of the breach, with the BDA reaching out to members who may have been impacted.

Serious breach

As a result, several members have kicked off a legal challenge with the help of law firm Simpson Millar.

Robert Godfrey, head of professional negligence at the firm, described the circumstances as ‘deeply concerning’. Additionally, he believes anybody affected by the digital data attack could have a valid claim against the BDA for the distress caused.

‘We have had members of the BDA site contact us who are quite rightly very concerned,’ he said.

‘We are actively investigating potential claims on behalf of people directly affected by this serious breach. This is a clear violation of GDPR and data protection rules.

‘I am confident any person whose details have been accessed could have a valid claim. It is clear there has been of breach of the residents’ right to privacy and the BDA is ultimately responsible. There is a clear entitlement to compensation for any upset, injury and cost of support and disruption to their lives.’

Support necessary

He added: ‘Many will be anxious and fear they will be targeted at home or work in the future. There is no doubt that the affected people are going to need support in this difficult time. Both from their family and friends.

‘The BDA are a professional body who have a very clear duty of care to ensure the members of their site, who hand over their confidential information to them have their data secure and protected, are not exposed such as has happened in this breach.’


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