Data breach compensation offer ‘is major progress’, says PFNI

Under the terms that have been confirmed, payments of £7,500 are to be made to thousands of officers who had their personal details accidentally published in 2023.

Described as the “most significant data breach that has ever occurred in the history of British policing”, the personal information of 9,483 police officers and staff working at the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), including surnames, initials, ranks/grades, locations and departments, was published in error on a public website following a Freedom of Information request.

Chair of the PFNI, Liam Kelly, said the group action supported by the Federation has delivered a decent outcome for most officers affected by the breach.

However, the Federation has said the universal offer would not cover exceptional cases where officers in particularly sensitive roles, or those with readily identifiable names and certain addresses might decide to continue their legal action.

Mr Kelly said: “This universal offer is substantial and major progress in this protracted matter. For many officers, it will mean they are able to draw a line under the case and move on with their careers.

“This is not a one-size-fits-all offer. We will see some colleagues who were left particularly vulnerable wishing to proceed with their legal cases.

“This has been a very costly error by the PSNI; £119 million is ring-fenced for compensation payments from April.

“Many of our officers felt extremely vulnerable by the information that was accidentally released. The upheaval forced some to re-locate or install substantial home security systems to protect themselves and their families.

“This Federation welcomes the universal offer. It will deliver welcome closure for many of them but we have to recognise the fact that for some of our colleagues, the damage caused by the breach will have longer-term effects and consequences.”