Investigations into 15 tech companies have been opened as data breaches increase 70%

There was a 70% rise in the number of data breaches in Ireland last year since new GDPR laws were brought in.

Investigations into 15 tech companies have been opened as data breaches increase 70%

Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram were all investigated by the Data Protection Commission last year.

They were among 15 tech companies looked into by the watchdog over their compliance with GDPR.

The Data Protection Commission's annual report shows just over 4,700 valid breaches were reported to it between May and December 2018.

That's a 70% rise in the number of data breaches in Ireland since new GDPR laws were brought in.

More than 2,800 complaints were made to the office - a 56 % increase on the year before.

Graham Doyle, from the Data Protection Commission, said all of those investigations are ongoing.

"There into six different companies," he said.

"There are nine of those inquiries that were opened that are complaint based inquiries, and then we had another six inquiries that we opened of our own volition.

"Some of them are a results of individual breach notifications."

more courts articles

Nine people appear in court over protest outside refugee centre in Dublin Nine people appear in court over protest outside refugee centre in Dublin
DUP calls for measures to prevent Northern Ireland from becoming 'magnet' for asylum seekers DUP calls for measures to prevent Northern Ireland from becoming 'magnet' for asylum seekers
UK's Illegal Migration Act should be disapplied in Northern Ireland, judge rules UK's Illegal Migration Act should be disapplied in Northern Ireland, judge rules

More in this section

Israel-Hamas conflict Ambassador ‘looking forward’ to Palestine flag flying over Leinster House
St. John's House, Tallaght Firebomb attack Teenager arrested in connection with fire at property set to house asylum seekers
Muslim Sisters of Eire describe 'soul crushing' soup run Muslim Sisters of Eire describe 'soul crushing' soup run
War_map
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Brand Safety FAQ Help Contact Us Terms and Conditions

© Examiner Echo Group Limited