Another failure in PSNI data protection sparks political backlash

Concerns over the handling of the PSNI data breach have intensified after the names of 41 serving police officers were published on publicly accessible online court lists, sparking political criticism and renewed calls for urgent action from the Justice Minister.

The Department of Justice confirmed that the names appeared on the Northern Ireland Courts and Tribunals Service website in connection with civil actions linked to the PSNI data breach scandal.

The department has since placed the court listings website into what it described as “essential system maintenance”.

The officers involved are individual claimants in separate legal proceedings, distinct from the large-scale group litigation supported by the Police Federation for Northern Ireland, which involves thousands of officers and staff.

The development has raised serious concerns about officer safety, particularly given the sensitive nature of many policing roles in Northern Ireland and the background to the original data breach, in which personal details of PSNI personnel were accidentally published in 2023.

Political reaction

Ulster Unionist Party leader Jon Burrows MLA said the disclosure was “extremely concerning”, noting that anonymity had not been opposed by the Chief Constable in related proceedings.

“The Chief Constable did not oppose anonymity applications in the data breach proceedings. Many officers perform sensitive, covert, or high risk roles, and the very nature of this case makes their identities particularly vulnerable,” he said.

“It is therefore extremely concerning that the names of these claimants were disclosed on the public online court listings. The Justice Minister should immediately provide clarity on the following; Whether this was an administrative error by a third party or by the Northern Ireland Courts and Tribunals Service, and how long the information remained publicly accessible.

“This latest incident only heightens the need for robust safeguards to protect those who serve and their families”.

Mr Burrows’ comments were echoed by Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) legacy and justice spokesman Sammy Morison, who said the incident had caused “real anxiety” among officers and their families.

“There is no escaping the fact that this has caused real anxiety for officers and their families. Given the background of why these cases are being taken it is hard to credit that such an error should have been made,” he said.

“The breach which resulted in these cases has already exposed officers to risk, and every subsequent action by public bodies should be guided by the overriding need to minimise further harm. There are serious questions which need to be urgently addressed, not least by the Justice Minister.”

Impact on officers and families

The latest disclosure comes against the backdrop of a long-running legal and compensation process following the 2023 breach, which left many officers feeling vulnerable and exposed.

On Tuesday, February 3, the Police Federation for Northern Ireland confirmed that a compensation offer made to officers affected by the breach represents “substantial and major progress” in resolving the case.

Under the confirmed terms, payments of £7,500 will be made to thousands of officers whose personal information was accidentally published. A total of £119 million has been ring-fenced for compensation payments from April.

Police Federation Chair Liam Kelly said the group action supported by the Federation had delivered a “decent outcome” for most officers, while acknowledging that not all cases would be resolved by the universal offer.

“This universal offer is substantial and major progress in this protracted matter.

“For many officers, it will mean they are able to draw a line under the case and move on with their careers,” he said.

“This is not a one-size-fits-all offer. We will see some colleagues who were left particularly vulnerable wishing to proceed with their legal cases.

“This has been a very costly error by the PSNI. £119 million is ring-fenced for compensation payments from April.

“Many of our officers felt extremely vulnerable by the information that was accidentally released. The upheaval forced some to re-locate or instal substantial home security systems to protect themselves and their families.

“This Federation welcomes the universal offer. It will deliver welcome closure for many of them but we have to recognise the fact that for some of our colleagues, the damage caused by the breach will have longer-term effects and consequences.”

Ongoing questions

While compensation negotiations have progressed, the publication of officers’ names on court listings has renewed scrutiny of how public bodies are managing sensitive information in the wake of the breach.

With the court listings website now taken offline, political representatives are demanding answers on how the error occurred, how long the information was publicly available, and what steps will be taken to prevent further disclosures.

For officers and their families, many of whom have already faced upheaval, relocation and increased security costs, the latest incident has reopened fears that the consequences of the PSNI data breach are far from over.