Yet Another Failure in PSNI Data Breach Handling

In a disturbing new development linked to the ongoing PSNI data breach scandal, the Department of Justice has published the names of 41 police officers on publicly available online court lists. The department has since placed the court list website into essential system maintenance.

These individuals are claimants in related civil actions (distinct from the large scale Police Federation group litigation involving thousands of officers and staff).

Ulster Unionist Party Leader Jon Burrows MLA commented:

"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.

“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”.