Public statements or legal documents from the ICO

PSNI Faces Record £750,000 Fine Over 2023 Data Breach Exposing 9,000 Officers

May 23, 2024, 08:32 AM

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) is facing a £750,000 fine from the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) following a significant data breach in 2023. The breach involved a spreadsheet leak that exposed the personal information of more than 9,000 serving officers and staff. The ICO's decision marks one of the largest fines ever imposed on a UK police force for a data security incident. The breach has been described as the worst security lapse in UK police history, putting thousands of officers at risk. The fine, amounting to six figures, is equivalent to approximately €750,000.