Get up to €1,500 compensation for a data breach

Intro

A data leak is when your private info goes where it shouldn’t. It could be intentional, due to a security breach, or it being exposed elsewhere by other people. It can also involve data that might otherwise be public but harvested and compiled into a database, and releasing it can still be damaging.

The source of a data leak can be a cyberattack, investigation, data mining, or deliberate effort from insiders. Data leaks are still a form of breach of privacy.

The leaked data could still involve damaging confidential information, such as personal information, medical information, financial information, intellectual properties, trade secrets, political records, etc. 

Key Takeaways:

• Data leaks can happen by accident or by intention.
• Data leaks involve the release of confidential data.
• Data leaks can be more dangerous than data breaches.
• Whether you were affected or are just exploring options, you can check your eligibility for compensation.

Data Leak Definition

A data leak is the intentional or unintentional exposure of sensitive, confidential, or protected information to unauthorized individuals or the public. While sometimes, leaks are associated with journalistic endeavors (for example, WikiLeaks), in this context, we are talking about personal information that is shared with unapproved persons. 

Even a list of sneakily acquired email addresses or phone numbers can expose millions of people to spam, scams, or exploitation. 

Once targets are exposed, criminals and opportunists may be able to begin data linking, combining pieces of seemingly harmless data to create a picture of someone’s identity, thus making them vulnerable to scams and social engineering, or gaining direct access to their accounts for fraud. Sometimes, this data is used for demographic profiling and finding targets to harass or threaten for discriminatory reasons.  

Often, leaked personal data is traded on the dark web or among data-driving companies to utilize it for unsavory purposes. Once exposed, this private data continually percolates and you may be a choice target for many years. 

Types of Data Leaks

Accidental Disclosure 

• When information is inadvertently shared due to human error, such as someone sending or mass replying to emails, publishing to the public view a confidential post, or mistakenly configuring privacy settings. 
• In emails, “cc:” shows the emails of all recipients, while “bcc:” hides recipients’ email addresses.
• Most social media posts can be set to public, private, or for followers only.  

Unauthorized Access

• When information is acquired via unauthorized access to private data through the exploitation of software vulnerabilities or lack of encryption. 
• When eavesdropping on data being sent or leaving accounts logged in so that others can access it.

Third-party sharing

• When the personal data you allow an organization to have is then shared with a third party without your knowledge or consent.
• You have not interacted physically with that third party at all and have no knowledge of who or what they are doing with your data.

Data Harvesting

• When data is collected or scraped from public sources without your consent, and then compiled into databases that can be used or sold for various purposes.
• Similar to the above, it is however technically not illegal to compile publically available data.

Publication of Private Data 

• When information that is supposed to be private or confidential is released to online public spaces, like forums and social media. 
• Sometimes, data can be held for a ransom with the threat of mass disclosure.

Is there any compensation for data leaks?

It’s common for large-scale data leaks to result in compensation for affected individuals. The exact data leak settlement amount may vary based on factors like the user’s location and the extent of the data breach.

Data Leak vs. Others

Data leaks are known by various names, which can make things confusing. Some of these names mean the same thing, while others are a bit different. We explain and compare these terms below.

Data breach compensation

In today’s interconnected world, data breaches have become an increasingly common occurrence, exposing sensitive personal information to potential harm. While companies are responsible for safeguarding user data, individuals may be entitled to compensation if their personal information is compromised in a data breach. Whether you have been directly impacted or are simply seeking more information, this guide will equip you with the knowledge you need to understand your rights and explore potential avenues for compensation.

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Data breach prevention

In today’s digital world, data breaches have become increasingly common, posing a significant threat to individuals’ personal information. While businesses bear the responsibility of safeguarding user data, individuals can take proactive steps to protect themselves and minimize the impact of data breaches.

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What to do after data breach?

Data breaches are becoming increasingly common, and they can have a devastating impact on our lives. When our personal information is compromised, we may be at risk of identity theft, fraud, and other financial losses. It’s important to know what to do if you’re affected by a data breach.

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Data breach checker

With major data breaches increasingly common, checking whether your personal information appears in stolen data dumps circulating online has become critical. Data breach checker tools let you conveniently search billions of compromised identities to uncover if your emails, passwords or other sensitive details were exposed unknowingly.

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This password appeared in a data leak

Many major online platforms like Apple, Google and Microsoft now automatically check users’ passwords against databases of credentials leaked on the dark web. If your password appears in one of these compromised data dumps, companies will proactively send alerts urging users to change it.

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Data breach notice

Data breaches exposing consumers’ personal information are an unfortunate reality today. When a breach occurs, companies are required to provide notice to affected individuals within a certain timeframe. Receiving a data breach notice means your information was likely compromised.

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Data Breach Discovery

Imagine the shock of realizing your personal information has been exposed in a data breach. But before you can even begin to react, the wheels are already in motion. A complex, often hidden, process unfolds as the breach is discovered, investigated, and contained.

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Data breach vs data loss

Data leak and data loss are sometimes used interchangeably, with Data Loss Prevention Tools (DLP) being more about preventing data leaks.  If you imagine Data Breach as someone breaking down your door, Data Leak as you leave that door open or someone peeping through the window, Data Loss is just outright theft or burning the room down. Technically speaking, if you still have your data it is not lost but can still be stolen.  For other forms of data hacks, at least you have your own local copy of your data. With data loss, you have to deal with the destruction of your data. Grieve if you didn’t have a backup.

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Data breach vs data leak

Data breaches and data leaks are related but different concepts. If you think of your data as being protected behind a door, a data breach is about getting past that door while a leak is revealing or using what was previously private.

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Data leak definition

A data leak is where your private info goes where it shouldn’t. This could be intentional due to a security breach, or it being exposed elsewhere by other people. It can also involve data that might otherwise be public but harvested and compiled into a database, and releasing them can still be damaging.

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Privacy Breach Protection

A privacy breach is the unauthorized access, acquisition, disclosure, or use of sensitive and confidential information that is intended to be kept private. Data privacy is enshrined in rules and protections both offline and online. Confidentiality is your right.  A privacy breach can have severe consequences surprising you out of nowhere. This can range from constantly being hammered by spam and scams – to financial losses, slander, identity theft, reputation damage, legal problems, and your other accounts and devices being compromised.

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Data Breach

Imagine a door with your important documents behind it. A data breach means unauthorized individuals gain access to the sensitive and protected data behind that door. This could include your real name, true location, personal details, financial information, private and intimate content, trade secrets, etc. But it doesn’t matter how they get past that door – as soon as that info is seen by someone not supposed to see it, the breach is done.

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Data Leak Examples

Check out these real-world examples to get a more practical understanding of how data leaks work and what we can learn from these examples. 

Avast Privacy Breach

Do you have Avast antivirus? 🔥 Then you may have been affected by a data breach 👉 Get a settlement ✅ Check your claim with our claim calculator ➡️

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APPLE Data Breach

Do you have Apple? 🔥 Then you could be affected by Apple data leak 👉 Get compensation ✅ Check eligibility with our calculator ➡️

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Amazon Data Breach

Do you have Amazon? 🔥 Then you could be affected by Amazon data leak 👉 Get compensation ✅ Check eligibility with our calculator ➡️

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H&M Data Breach

Do you have H&M? 🔥 Then you could be affected by H&M data leak 👉 Get compensation ✅ Check eligibility with our calculator ➡️

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Twitch Data Breach

Do you have Twitch? 🔥 Then you could be affected by Twitchdata leak 👉 Get compensation ✅ Check eligibility with our Data Breach Checker ➡️

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Dropbox Data Breach

Do you have Dropbox? 🔥 Then you could be affected by Dropbox data leak 👉 Get compensation ✅ Check eligibility with our calculator ➡️

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Adobe Data Breach

Do you have Adobe Creative Cloud? 🔥 Then you could be affected by Adobe data leak 👉 Get compensation ✅ Check eligibility with our calculator ➡️

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eBay Data Breach

Do you have eBay? 🔥 Then you could be affected by eBay data leak 👉 Get compensation ✅ Check eligibility with our calculator ➡️

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Yahoo Data Breach

Do you have Yahoo? 🔥 Then you could be affected by Yahoo data leak 👉 Get compensation ✅ Check eligibility with our calculator ➡️

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Marriott Data Breach

Do you know the Marriott? 🔥 Then you could be affected by Marriot data leak 👉 Get compensation ✅ Check eligibility with our Calculator ➡️

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Facebook Data Breach

Do you have Facebook? 🔥 Then you could be affected by Facebook data leak 👉 Get up to €500 in settlement payout ✅ Check eligibility with our Calculator ➡️

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Google Data Breach

Do you use Google? 🔥 Then you could be affected by Google data leak 👉 Get compensation ✅ Check eligibility with our calculator ➡️

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WhatsApp Data Breach

Do you have WhatsApp? 🔥 Then you could be affected by WhatsApp data leak 👉 Get up to €500 in settlement payout ✅ Check eligibility with our calculator ➡️

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Uber Data Breach

Do you have Uber? 🔥 Then you could be affected by Uber data leak 👉 Get compensation ✅ Check eligibility with our calculator ➡️

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Twitter Data Breach

Do you have Twitter/X? 🔥 Then you could be affected by Twitter/X data leak 👉 Get compensation ✅ Check eligibility with our calculator ➡️

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TikTok Data Breach

Do you have TikTok? 🔥 Then you could be affected by TikTok data leak 👉 Get up to €500 in settlement payout ✅ Check eligibility with our calculator ➡️

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T-Mobile Data Breach

Do you have T-Mobile? 🔥 Then you could be affected by T-Mobile data leak 👉 Get compensation ✅ Check eligibility with our calculator ➡️

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Spotify Data Breach

Do you have Spotify? 🔥 Then you could be affected by Spotify data leak 👉 Get compensation ✅ Check eligibility with our calculator ➡️

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Sony Data Breach

Do you have Sony? 🔥 Then you could be affected by Sony data leak 👉 Get compensation ✅ Check eligibility with our calculator ➡️

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Instagram Data Breach

Do you have Instagram? 🔥 Then you could be affected by Instagram data leak 👉 Get up to €500 in settlement payout ✅ Check eligibility with our calculator ➡️

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LinkedIn Data Breach

Do you have LinkedIn? 🔥 Then you could be affected by LinkedIn data leak 👉 Get compensation ✅ Check eligibility with our calculator ➡️

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Conclusion

Data leaks are no less dangerous than data breaches. A privacy leak can be harder to detect until it is too late. 

It can happen by accident or by intent. Exposure is much wider compared to a targeted data breach, and once made public, there will be no control over who has access to that information. It can then be the first step to even more serious data breaches, identity theft, or scams and hacks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources

1. Situational Awareness and Incident Response | CISA [Internet]. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency CISA. Available from: https://www.cisa.gov/resources-tools/programs/situational-awareness-and-incident-response
2. Data leak exposes tens of millions of private records from corporations and government agencies. CNN Business [Internet]. 2021 Aug 24; Available from: https://edition.cnn.com/2021/08/24/tech/data-leak-microsoft-upguard/index.html
3. Ben-Sasson H, Greenberg R. 38TB of data accidentally exposed by Microsoft AI researchers [Internet]. wiz.io. 2023. Available from: https://www.wiz.io/blog/38-terabytes-of-private-data-accidentally-exposed-by-microsoft-ai-researchers
4. What is data loss prevention (DLP)? | Microsoft Security [Internet]. Available from: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/business/security-101/what-is-data-loss-prevention-dlp