British Showjumping apologises for data leak
British Showjumping has apologised to members after personal data was leaked accidentally.
The organisation has “sincerely expressed our personal and profound apologies for this to all the affected individuals concerned” and have “taken immediate steps to prevent a reoccurrence.”
All members were sent a letter last week, stating the issue and where the data had been sent to.
BS told H&H it “became aware of a data protection breach in September 2014 that involved a significant number of members’ personal information.”
Information — including phone numbers and email addresses — was sent out to a variety of contacts via email, including show organisers, centres and officials. Recipients were immediately instructed to delete the email.
However, angry BS member David O Donnell contacted H&H to say he was more concerned about the time it took for the organisation to address the problem.
“I understand these things happen — we all make mistakes — but if they’ve known since the beginning of September why were we only notified last week? They should have told us straight away.
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“The data includes that of my 16-year-old son, it’s a big concern.”
Showjumping fans and members on the UKSJ forum also agreed with this.
“Took them long enough to let us know,” wrote one.
“Three months ago?!” said another.
BS added that the matter had been forwarded to the Information Commissioner’s Office, who will be investigating.
“We protect our members data and feel we have let them down on this occasion. It is important to British Showjumping that we are open and transparent about this incident and the measures we have taken.”
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A graduate of Exeter University, Amy joined our news team from Redpin Publishing in 2008 as news writer. She was promoted to deputy news editor in May 2013 and became news editor in April 2015. She left Horse & Hound in March 2016 to take up an editorial position in Dubai.