enquiries@hnksolicitors.com
Mon-Thu 09:00-18:00 | Fri 09:00-17:00

Hackney Council Data Breach

Hackney Council Data Breach

In July last year, Hackney Council experienced a data breach that saw sensitive information concerning vulnerable people shared publicly online. The names and addresses of women and children living in local hostels for their safety, vulnerable tenants’ information and contact details for council estate residents who had requested repairs (including broken doors) were exposed online.

It was revealed that the cause for the data breach was the privacy settings on the online project management tool, Trello being set to public. This breach was only brought to light when investigators from the local newspaper Hackney Citizen informed the council of the IT blunder.

Step 1

Get in touch using our contact forms or any details provided throughout the site.

Step 2

We arrange a free consultation with you to discuss the case.

Step 3

If accepted we will action your case on a no win no fee basis.

The breach happened just months after a serious cyber-attack saw vital online services go down for weeks and later resulted in stolen data being published on the dark web. Following the attack, Hackney mayor Philip Glanville promised to tighten the council’s security measures. However, numerous documents were leaked online due to human error.

What data was revealed in the Hackney Council data breach?

This careless mistake meant that sensitive documents, such as an unredacted spreadsheet containing the names and addresses of women placed in temporary accommodation for their safety, became available to anyone with access to the internet. This was not only a privacy error but could also put them in serious physical danger.

 

Weeks later, a second upload published contact details for council tenants who had requested repairs for boilers, door buzzers and broken doors. Other instances involved a screenshot of a vulnerable tenant’s address and NI number, notes from a frail resident’s welfare check and minutes from a housing meeting revealing the council was losing a significant amount of money caused by the cyber-attack in October.

 

Links were repeatedly posted to a public Google doc that covered which flats are likely to be empty during the school run period. All of which were made possible by manually setting workspaces to public, despite a post for inducting new employees specifically warning users to be careful when using Trello and Google docs. It stated: “If you don’t take steps to protect work-related information while using such tools, it could put people and services at risk.”

An image of the front view of Hackney town hall

Download Our Guide

Get in touch

Fill out the below form and one of our advisors will get in touch to arrange a consultation about your claim.


Call 0151 203 1104

enquiries@hnksolicitors.com Mon – Thu 09:00-18:00
Fri – 09:00-17:00

Who is affected by the Hackney Council data breach?

One of the major groups of people affected were those living in the building that housed up to a hundred vulnerable women and children. Tenants in council estates and living in council housing have also been affected.

 

There are roughly 280,000 people in the Hackney borough and despite the data leaked from the initial cyber-attack was ‘limited’, this further breach could affect a lot more.

How do I know if I have been affected by the Hackney Council Data Breach?

By law, Hackney Council must contact anyone affected by either of these data breaches directly. But it’s also possible to ask the Council if your personal information is at risk by making a data Subject Access Request (SAR).


How can HNK Solicitors help with my data breach claim?

HNK Solicitors have a team of expert data protection solicitors with many years of experience dealing with data breach claims. We have been successful in obtaining compensation for clients who have been affected by data breaches against a wide variety of defendants based in England and other countries across the world.

 

Under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), you have the right to claim compensation for any inconvenience, distress, or monetary loss you have suffered as a result of your data being breached. You have the legal right to have your personal information kept private, and any companies that do not comply with data protection laws should be held to account.

 

If you have been affected by the Hackney Council data breach, contact HNK Solicitors for a free no-obligation consultation. Our experts will be able to offer advice on pursuing a claim against Hackney Council, and we may be able to mount a group litigation case against the council to get those affected the compensation they deserve.

Free Consultation

Contact HNK Solicitors to arrange a free no-obligation consultation where we can offer free advice on pursuing a claim against Hackney Council.

No-win-no-fee

HNK offers a no-win, no-fee service, which means it will not cost you a penny upfront to start your claim. This means you can pursue your claim on a no-risk basis and only have to pay a small percentage if your claim is successful.

Client Communication

We understand this process can be distressing, so we handle everything for you and keep you up to date throughout the whole process.
FAQ

Was Hackney Council responsible for the breach?

The breach occurred through human error. Someone at Hackney Council had set the privacy settings on Trello, the online project management tool they used, to public. This meant that sensitive data, such as an unredacted spreadsheet containing the names and addresses of women in Hackney placed in temporary accommodation for their safety, became available to anyone with access to the internet.

What is a group litigation case?

A group litigation/group action claim or case is where a group of people – which can be as many as thousands – have all been affected by the same issue. All the people in the group collectively bring their cases to court against the Defendant and fight together to get compensation. This strengthens their overall position and can make a big organisation take a matter more seriously. It can also increase their chances of settlement or success in litigation.

Just because you are part of a group litigation claim, this doesn’t mean that everyone in the group will receive the same amount of compensation. Every claim within the group is settled based on the individual’s situation.

What can I claim for?

If your data has been breached, you can claim for both damages and distress. So, you can claim for any financial losses or emotional distress you have suffered as a result of having your data stolen. However, you also have the right to claim, even if you haven’t suffered as a result of the failure to protect your data as, by law, public bodies like Hackney Council must keep your personal data safe.

How much will it cost?

Nothing upfront. If we deem you have a case that has a high chance of success, we will offer you a no-win, no-fee agreement. This means it won’t cost you a penny to start your claim, and you won’t have to pay a thing if your claim is unsuccessful.

If your case is successful, the legal costs which consist of the work HNK Solicitors has done for you and disbursement costs such as court and barrister fees will be recovered from the Defendant themselves and the compensation you are rewarded. HNK cap the costs they take from your compensation at 25%, so no matter what you will get at least 75% of the compensation in the end.

Can’t find what you’re looking for?

Let us know what you’re looking for and we will get back to you as soon as we can.

SPEAK TO OUR TEAM

Call us on - 0151 203 1104 | Email us at - enquiries@hnksolicitors.com
Drew BellDrew Bell
11:45 04 Mar 24
Vivien was brilliant, I won my claim for damages received settling at 5k for a false arrest. She kept me in the loop and followed any instructions I gave her but at the same time she made sure I was informed enough to make certain decisions. Over all would highly recommend and definitely use these guys again if needed.
R MorleyR Morley
10:52 23 Jan 24
Stuck with me all the way through the start and got exactly the result I wanted and even more, didn't think I could be compensated as much due to the circumstances, thanks a lot and would recommend anyone to these services, always professional, keep up the good work.
joe morrisjoe morris
12:22 17 Jan 24
Avoid. I approached HNK as i believe my rights were violated during police custody & interview. I gave a precise account to them including my allegations. They ignored this and drafted their own. They contested my arrest (which they were not instructed to do so) and as the arrest was lawful they closed the file disregarding my allegations completely. There are multiple other people who have experienced the same from this firm. They also have a lot of negative reviews on Trust Pilot. Do your research. It may very well end up saving you time and money. I have now began the process of escalating my complaint to the Legal Ombudsman.
Georgi KolevGeorgi Kolev
11:41 13 Jan 24
Exceptional Advocacy by HNK SolicitorsI am thrilled to share my outstanding experience with HNK Solicitors, who played an instrumental role in bringing action against the police on my behalf. From the outset, their professionalism and dedication were evident. HNK's expertise and strategic approach ensured a positive outcome, instilling confidence in me throughout the process. Their clear communication and genuine concern for my well-being set them apart. I highly recommend HNK Solicitors to anyone seeking expert legal representation. Thank you, HNK, for your exceptional support in securing justice.
Simon SiSimon Si
18:17 10 Jan 24
Very good service throughout, they constantly kept me in the loop and managed a very satisfactory result. I would gladly recommend their service,s to any experiencing the same sort of problems.Many thanksSimon
Loops EntLoops Ent
07:29 22 Dec 23
Very good Solicitor firm, very deligent with their approach. Was an absolute pleasure to work with as they took on my claims against the police and saw to it that a compensation was reached. However this is just one out of many potential cases so am looking forward to working with you guys again.
Dina 21Dina 21
16:35 11 Dec 23
I want to say that the experience I had with this solicitors has been very positive. As through no fault of theirs this case took alot of time.I was impressed with the end results.
Majik EMajik E
13:05 06 Dec 23
Michael Wharton kept me informed throughout my criminal injures claim and was always available for advice and reassurance. Just waiting for my claim to be paid out and that will be a satisfactory end to a traumatic event. Again a big thank you to HNK solicitors.
Matthew HigginsMatthew Higgins
23:31 16 Nov 23
I highly recommend HNK Solicitors for their outstanding work on my case against the police. Vivian was fantastic, providing constant support and making the process much more comfortable. Thanks to the excellent teamwork between her and Alex, we won the case. If you've been wronged by the police, HNK Solicitors are the ones to call.
Christopher MearnsChristopher Mearns
11:58 09 Nov 23
Absolutely shocking for a legal team and solicitors company I've had 2 casses go through HNK and each one of them had the same outcome the evidence was so strong in my case due to the laws and legislation been put in place by the government but HNK seem to know nothing about real defence laws or things that the police have to by law have to follow when your in there care and the monitoring that they have to do under the mental health act but HNK did not chase for this evidence they just toke word of mouth for evidence which they strung it out for nearly 2 years then came back with lame responses. If your looking for a good solicitor company I would recommend you look elsewhere if you want success in your cases as the company is far from professional and they know very little about the laws in place to protect people that are assaulted in the polices care and when you ask to speak to a senior partner within the company its rejected so your never get to speak to any person that has knowledge in the areas of law in question so safe your time and data for a real solicitors company that puts its clients first which HNK never do. I hope this saves some people time and energy in the future when looking for legal representative's
Being the first time having to fight a case against the police I was a bit apprehensive with what the outcome may of been but my solicitor demi was kind and professional and always made me feel at ease every time i spoke to her. I can't thank her enough for the work she put into fighting my case and having Alex as my barrister who I was extremely impress with how he handled my case was a true blessing. So grateful for them both and I have and would forever recommend anyone to work with the firm. Thanks again 😊
Lindsey FrancisLindsey Francis
14:33 29 Sep 23
Amazing service. prompt, successful and professional throughout. Would highly recommend.
_ MediaNPTGwent_ MediaNPTGwent
12:25 08 Sep 23
Have sought the help of Higgs Newton Kenyon Solicitors on a number of cases now, and they've been nothing but attentive and helpful at getting me the best outcome. Would highly recommend
Scott LPScott LP
15:09 26 Aug 23
They are lawyers, so $$$ is their only agenda and, thus, when we refused the offer of compensation in favour of a public apology, they ended up defending the perpetrators out of spite. Unethical is an understatement.
Courtney LvizCourtney Lviz
10:32 22 Aug 23
I am extremely satisfied with the exceptional service provided by Higgs Newton Kenyon solicitors. Their dedicated work and professionalism in handling my case led to a successful settlement that brought great relief. The team's commitment to excellence is truly impressive, and I appreciate their efforts. I highly recommend their services and am grateful for their support. Thank you, HNK solicitors!- Courtney LV
Anthony SmithAnthony Smith
01:43 26 Jul 23
I must have drawn the short straw if all these positive reviews are authentic.My own case was handled mainly by para legals. Who displayed very little skill, or real knowledge of the law, and definitely lacked any kind of commitment. I received only one phone call in the three years it took them to 'resolve ' my case.The treatment I received from this firm was barely adequate. If you are thinking of using HNK my advice is find someone else. Unless you don't mind wasting three years of your life for very little in the way of compensation.
Turner carlTurner carl
22:34 09 Jul 23
I've learned a lot from life. Even if you are decent, humble, and honest to guys, it doesn't guarantee that they will treat you similarly. I've been married to my spouse for about six years and didn't know he was cheating. I chose to confide in a friend after noticing some changes in his behavior, and they connected me with a hacker by the name of DAVID WILFRED. By remotely hacking and gaining access to his phone call log, Facebook, Messenger messages, phone texts, WhatsApp, Skype, database, and other items, this guy did an amazing and excellent work for me. You can get in touch with this active hacker at (digitaltechhacker @ gmail com).
Kelsea NaismithKelsea Naismith
21:21 03 Jul 23
My solicitors name was Micheal Wharton, he done an amazing job in helping me with my case. He treated me with empathy, respect, and compassion. He is very understanding and kept me up to date with any updates/changes every step of the way. His communication skills are amazing, and he made me feel at ease when talking about my case and reassured me when I was worried.I would highly recommend Micheal Wharton as your solicitor he is very good at what he does and is very professional at all times whilst providing excellent support and advice.I can't thank Micheal enough for everything he has done for me.
Steph McGowanSteph McGowan
13:24 26 Jun 23
Can’t thank Michael enough for doing what he has done for me, he kept updating me on what was happening with the case and I’m very happy with the outcome
Ellen BrownEllen Brown
08:39 31 May 23
Positive service. Treated me with kindness and respect. Didn't make me uncomfortable whilst doing their enquiries.Kept me in the loop at all times and helped me come to a decision that best suited me.Thank you to Michael Wharton for making the effort to help me :)
Al TommoAl Tommo
20:09 19 May 23
Very good service, couldn’t be happier with how they handled my claim and we also got justice and compensated rightly! 5 stars 10/10 does what it says on the tin thank you to the team at Hicks Newton Kenyon
••••
06:45 13 May 23
I was arrested under suspicion of several offences (was not charged with any). This was very Concerning since I was a top law student at the time, gaining a mid 1st for my criminal law work and Human Rights work - The solicitor at this firm involved in my case against the Police clearly knew nothing about criminal law, evidence or HR’s. As none of it happened, I was merely acting within my human rights, hence why the CPS ordered the Police to drop the whole case against me, which they did and with NFA.The solicitor at this firm dealing with my matters should not be a solicitor, as she does not know the law! She was also extremely rude, would not allow me to speak (kept interrupting and talking over me ) was entitled and patronising!I think they updated me just twice in a year!! I will be reporting this firm to the SRA, who are their regulatory body. Absolutely disgusted and a disgrace to the profession.Yes, I was a real client of theirs and this is a bona fida review - I am not at any liberty to give my name, if I don’t wish to.
brian morhanbrian morhan
17:01 26 Apr 23
Absolutely brilliant. They kept me in the loop throughout the process. I am very happy with the result. Very professional team. I would 100 percent recommend them. Thank you Michael.
Gary JonesGary Jones
18:13 16 Mar 23
A rare combination of a very professional company coupled with excellent staff who are equally caring and understanding in their appraoch, brilliant.Highly recommended.
Dan MalcomDan Malcom
17:27 09 Mar 23
who is michelle mcmahonwhy is hnk solicitors Instagram account full of fake followers bot accounts and purchase to follow accountswhy does hnk solicitors most predominantly deal with cases involving white caucasian males and white caucasian females paying out more within the tens of thousands to the hundreds of thousands when white but if any other colour race or religion pays out lesshow much much does each solicitors at higgs newton kenyon solicitors make if most cases are worth £5000 with a waiting time of (12) twelve months
Ashley whitehouseAshley whitehouse
10:11 27 Feb 23
I was assaulted which was a bad experience and left me with a head scar. I decided to use Higgs Newton Kenyon and overall I was impressed with the service they provided me.I was happy with the outcome and I would definitely recommend them.
amber-marie shoemarkamber-marie shoemark
16:30 24 Feb 23
Highly recommend using higgs Newton Kenyon solicitors I most definitely got my justice I deserved could not of done it with out Michael support I got the support and help the very first day Michael got in contact with me and all the support carried on all the way to the last day
M EdgertonM Edgerton
13:29 30 Jan 23
I contacted Higgs Newton Kenyon over a distressing experience with the police and feeling very vulnerable. Lynne Hughes helped me with my case and was really understanding and empathetic. It meant a lot to have someone speak for me and the outcome of the case was better than I expected. Thanks to their service I have been able to put this experience behind me and move on.Would recommend.
Charlie AbbottCharlie Abbott
10:17 30 Jan 23
I received a fantastic, professional service from start to finish. Most importantly I got the justice I deserved due to the hard work of my case handler Lyne Hughes. I would highly recommend Higgs Newton Kenyon Solicitors.
Aaron McLeodAaron McLeod
18:34 15 Nov 22
Fantastic solicitors, they explained everything to me in great detail, I understood everything they said, always kind and well mannered on the phone and email, great experience with them. Will definitely use them again if need be in the future.
Funandplayful carmellaFunandplayful carmella
17:48 10 Nov 22
Highly professional & thorough. I'm very happy with the service this firm provided & empathy shown & seeking justice on our behalf thank you for all that worked on my case especially Mrs L Hughes.
robin mohamedrobin mohamed
18:27 18 Oct 22
Higgs Newton Kenyon took on my case when others had said they would not. The Paralegal kept me updated as things progressed and I am very impressed with the outcome and the overall handling of my case.Once again thank you for your services and I would highly recommend.
Wonders of LondonWonders of London
08:53 23 Sep 22
They helped us with a claim against police for false imprisonment (stop and search). Very happy with the level of service provided and with the settlement achieved. We will now use the money we got to help someone in need here in London.
yard skiyard ski
12:33 23 Jul 22
I would recommend HNK solicitors as they offer a first class professional service. Call back's and emails to update me with my case and the staff were excellent. Thank you Helen and the team.
Mohammed AbdelmoniemMohammed Abdelmoniem
16:29 11 Jan 22
Absolutely an amazing firm and I would highly recommend them to anyone who has a similar case. I was wrongfully arrested for a crime that I did not do and I approached this firm HNK Solictors for some help and support. After viewing all the evidence, they took the case on. It took a year for the amazing good news to come out. Their hard work and dedication including their professional skills and expertise, has given me the result that I was hoping for. Vivian Lee was amazing and her professional manner in which she dealt with me and the case was remarkable. Well done, Vivian and keep up the good work. Fantastic work!
Ansar HussainAnsar Hussain
15:16 24 Nov 21
Absolutely amazing firm took my case on against the police after wrongful arrest and detention. They were very professional,informative and efficient. As I was advised by them that I had a strong chance of success and success is what they delivered. Jessica Smith thank you for all your hard work.
Maddox XxMaddox Xx
12:03 23 Nov 21
Brilliant Firm and people to deal with, Jessica and the team were professional, i could not thank them enough for resolving my case in a timely manner and keeping me updated through out the whole process. Highly recommend them
Jon BarnesJon Barnes
23:17 17 Nov 21
Like to say thank you to the team who help win the case against the police. Very efficient and professional. I will definitely recommend 👌
Vickie WatsonVickie Watson
01:38 12 Nov 21
Great solicitors. Michael was very helpful and friendly and I would like to say thank you for his help. Definitely recommend these solicitors. Thank you 🙂🙂
Ciara BeveridgeCiara Beveridge
11:31 10 Nov 21
Very quick to get everything sorted. Would phone me and update me on the progress. Highly recommend
christine stockwellchristine stockwell
07:26 30 Sep 21
Higgs Newton Kenyon Solicitors have been brilliant even through the pandemic, it must be hard to do, they are very informative all the time great value and kind thank you
Frances SJ FinchFrances SJ Finch
10:04 28 Sep 21
I can’t quite put into words how brilliant these solicitors are, they provide a fantastic service and are very gentle when discussing sensitive subjects. Michael has been so incredibly helpful and I would like to send him a massive thanks for everything he has done for me. The receptionist has always also been very polite, friendly and welcoming and I would also like to thank her for supplying a kind atmosphere whenever I have needed to contact the team.
Danny OwenDanny Owen
14:12 09 Aug 21
Highly recommended, I had a claim against the police for an unlawful stop and search and false imprisonment which was has been settled with compensation. I had to put very little effort in and I was kept continually up to date. Vivien Lee dealing with my case could not have been more polite professional and helpful. I won’t be using anyone other than HNK solicitors from now on.
Arome akuboArome akubo
20:34 04 Aug 21
These guys practically won me some cash from BA data breach case. They initiated it and executed it with utmost professionalism without me breaking a sweat. I fully recommend them without any reservations.
Stephen JohnsonStephen Johnson
19:02 02 Aug 21
Absolutely amazing helped me get a good result against merseyside police. very quick and professional definitely would recommend them to anyone will use again ..thank you guys
Tuyet OlvestedtTuyet Olvestedt
10:06 14 Jul 21
Very attentive and thorough service.They communicate regularly and clearly via phone and email. Would absolutely recommend them.Many thanks
Marie Louise RothwellMarie Louise Rothwell
10:51 05 Jul 21
I am very happy with the service I got they were ever so good at dealing with my matter and very polite. They were also very helpful with giving me great advice I would definitely use their services again in the near future I am very happy with the outcome of my case
Stephen StrattonStephen Stratton
10:09 28 Jun 21
Following repeated violations and data protections concerns by the police I was able to secure a settlement which I am very happy with. Demi and her team were helpful, professional and informative throughout. I would highly recommend contacting HNK Solicitors for initial advice with any legal matters.
Sandra WilliamsSandra Williams
11:26 23 Jun 21
After a very Violated experience with the police, my solicitor Demi was there step by step, keeping me up to date with everything. If I ever needed Higgs Newton Kenyon I again I wouldn't hesitate to contact them. Thank you.
Jason PatrickJason Patrick
19:46 10 May 21
I would highly recommend this firm. They have acted on my behalf twice now and have successfully won compensation for both cases. They are a very professional team of solicitors with expansive knowledge of the law. If you want a good result with sound honest advice, then this firm is in my opinion one the best and not afraid to challenge injustice.Thank you,Yours sincerelyJason Patrick
Lauren Jade DouganLauren Jade Dougan
12:47 20 Apr 21
This firm is absolutely amazing. I have been so pleased with how my case was handled and the solicitors kept me informed every step of the way. I am also very pleased with the outcome. I would definitely recommend this firm to anybody.
frederick moorefrederick moore
20:07 08 Apr 21
Excellent company to deal with. Highly professional, responsive to client needs and very thorough. Would recommend.
Megan MaloneyMegan Maloney
14:05 08 Mar 21
So happy with my results worked with Micheal he won my case couldn’t be any more professional at what he does so happy With the outcome thank you so much Micheal .
Charmaine GalleyCharmaine Galley
14:11 07 Sep 20
I can't thank you all enough for the hard work you put into my case. I'm so very grateful xxx
Jeepaz Creepaz MusicJeepaz Creepaz Music
09:45 25 Aug 20
Our go to when one of your artist was wrongfully arrested by the police. They helped us to resolve the issue in a timely fashion.
js_loader
Latest News

Our latest articles

Image of a person's legs lying on the floor next to a car. Car accident concept image.

HNK recover £99,700 for claimant injured during an attempted robbery on his vehicle

In 2018, HNK made a successful claim to The Motor Insurers Bureau (MIB) on behalf of a claimant for damages...
Photograph of two British transport police officers stood inside a train station.

Kent Police officer jailed for six months for inappropriate relationship with suspect

A former Kent Police officer has been jailed for six months after initiating an inappropriate relationship with a suspect he...
A photograph of a police officer wearing a high-visibility jacket and white helmet riding a police motorbike down a road.

Suing the police: everything you need to know

The police are supposed to help uphold the law and keep us safe – and usually, this is what we...

How do I claim?

For more information on how to claim please click this button

Claim Now
Call Us Claim Now