The information commissioner has issued a warning after having to reprimand several organisations for data breaches affecting domestic abuse victims.
Since June 2022, the information commissioner’s office (ICO) has issued seven reprimands, including to Wakefield and Nottinghamshire County councils.
A housing association, NHS trust, police service, law firm and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) were also reprimanded.
In four cases, the safe addresses of victims were revealed to their alleged abusers.
Information commissioner John Edwards said: ‘This is a pattern that must stop. Organisations should be doing everything necessary to protect the personal information in their care.
‘Getting the basics right is simple – thorough training, double checking records and contact details, restricting access to information – all these things reduce the risk of even greater harm.’
Wakefield Council’s chief legal officer, Gillian Marshall, said: ‘Any data breach is unacceptable but in situations like this there could be significant consequences.
‘This is why we acted very quickly and took immediate action to ensure the safety of those affected.’
Wakefield has worked with the ICO to complete an action plan and has new internal processes, Ms Marshall said.
A DWP spokesperson said: ‘We have apologised to those affected by this rare breach and have taken swift action to prevent this happening again, including accepting the ICO recommendations in full.’
Nottinghamshire County Council has been contacted for comment.
