28/09/2010

Probe Launched Into Sky File-Sharing Leak

Following a security breach of legal firm ACS:Law, a list of more than 8,000 Sky broadband subscribers and a second of 400 PlusNet users has surfaced online.

The personal details of those suspected to have shared music or films illegally have appeared, following yesterday's database leak of more than 5,000 people suspected of downloading adult films.

ACS:Law could be fined up to half a million pounds for the breaches, the UK Information Commissioner said.

The lists contain the names, addresses and internet addresses (IP addresses) of users suspected of illegally sharing music.

They also contain details regarding how much compensation infringers paid ACS:Law, along with internal case notes.

Credit card details of those who paid compensation, are also suspected.

Christopher Graham, the UK's Information Commissioner (ICO) commented: "The question we will be asking is how secure was this information and how it was so easily accessed from outside.

"We'll be asking about the adequacy of encryption, the firewall, the training of staff and why that information was so public facing.

"The Information Commissioner has significant power to take action and I can levy fine of up to half a million pounds on companies that flout the Data Protection Act."

Simon Davis, Privacy expert has called the leaks "one of the worst breaches" of the Data Protection Act (DPA) he had ever seen.

(BMcN)

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