The UKs data watchdog has announced plans to fine the airline British Airways a record £183 million over last years data breach. The Information Commissioners Office (ICO) said that “poor security arrangements” at the company lead to the breach of credit card information, names, addresses, travel booking details, and logins for around 500,000 customers. The fine would be the largest the ICO has ever issued, BBC News reports, far more than the £500,000 fine against Facebook for the Cambridge Analytica scandal that affected millions. British Airways will now have 28 days to appeal the ruling before it is made final.
In a statement, the Information Commissioner Elizabeth Denham said that the loss of personal data is “more than an inconvenience” and said that companies should take appropriate steps “to protect fundamental privacy rights.”
“Peoples personal data is just that – personal. When an organisation fails to protect it from loss, damage or theft it is more than an inconvenience. Thats why the law is clear – when you are entrusted with personal data you must look after it. Those that dont will face scrutiny from my office to check they have taken appropriate steps to protect fundamental privacy rights.”
The fine comes less than a year after the regulator fined Facebook just £500,000 for the Cambridge Analytica scandal, which affected as many as 87 million users. If that sounds small to you, thats because
