NW solicitor takes on ticketing giant over data breach
North West data breach and cybercrime specialist Hayes Connor solicitors has launched a group action against Ticketmaster after a significant data breach was announced on June 27, 2018.
The breach is believed to have affected the payment and personal details of customers who either bought, or attempted to buy, tickets via Ticketmaster between February and June this year.
The announcement comes just months after the firm launched its group action service for clients wishing to register complaints against Facebook following news that the personal details of 50 million users had been harvested by the social media giant and Cambridge Analytica which filed for insolvency in May.
Commenting on the Ticketmaster group action, Kingsley Hayes, managing director at Widnes-based Hayes Connor, said: “More than 200 affected consumers have registered their details with us since the Ticketmaster breach was announced on 27 June and we are receiving many more enquiries daily.
“Ticketmaster was informed of the breach in April by digital bank Monzo but was unacceptably slow to act to protect its customers’ interests. Such conduct is completely unacceptable.
“Since GDPR came into effect on 25 May, all businesses now not only have a legal obligation to self-report any data breaches to the ICO (Information Commissioner’s Office), but they are also bound to inform all affected customers.
“Having been made aware of the breach in April, Ticketmaster failed to advise its customers until the end of June, despite the details of tens of thousands of UK consumers being exposed to potential fraud between February and 23 June 2018.”
He added: “The group action is still in its early days as investigations into the extent of the breach unfold and will be progressed on a no-win no-fee basis.
“We expect that the number of consumers registering with us will continue to grow with an average of £5,000 in compensation anticipated per claim depending on the nature and severity of the breach involved.
“We recognise the distress that a data breach can cause.
“Claimants are entitled to claim compensation for any psychological injuries suffered following a breach of their personal data alongside the potential, and actual, financial losses incurred.”
He said: “Our investment in technology means that we can deliver a quicker, more efficient service to clients to hold businesses to account and secure the compensation that they’re entitled to.
“Hayes Connor has secured more than £1m of compensation for consumers in the past two years alone.”
Hayes Connor has instructed Louis Browne QC and Ian Whitehurst of Exchange Chambers, to advise on the case.
The firm is also currently representing more than 100 consumers following the Equifax data breach with an anticipated outcome from the FCA investigation coming in a matter of weeks.
