Data security breaches in Whitehall

Lost confidential papers, leaked email addresses and the release of sensitive personal information were just some of the 4000 “data security incidences” recorded by the UK Government recorded last year.

Data uncovered by the SNP has revealed that in one case an assault victim’s new name and address was inadvertently sent to the perpetrator of the crime as part of an amended restraining order.

The Ministry of Justice said the affected individual and the Information Commissioner’s Office were notified and an investigation was launched. It did not disclose a conclusion.

Meanwhile, Whitehall’s Education Department mistakenly sent full application forms from 14 teachers containing personal data to a contractor, left official papers in taxis, and published actual grammar tests online instead of practice versions.

SNP MSP George Adam, who sits on Holyrood’s Justice Committee, said: “Theresa May’s Tory Government has been defined by mishaps and incompetence and these data security failures only add insult to injury.

“Some of the information that has been carelessly compromised is extremely sensitive, including giving the names of assault victims to their perpetrators, and the Tory Government must thoroughly review its working practices to ensure these types of breaches are never repeated.

“The public needs to be able to trust the Government to protect their data – but it looks like Tory ministers are asleep at the wheel.”

Other Ministry of Justice errors included the address of a domestic violence victim’s new partner being included in a summons document posted to the defendant and the address of harassment victim’s parents being included in restraining order sent to offenders.

Thirteen departments refused to release any information and others refused to release all the information requested.