Transport Agency Apologizes for Ferry Consultation Data Breach
Transport Scotland has issued an apology following a data breach involving email addresses of several Shetland residents. The incident occurred during the agency’s notification concerning the conclusion of the Northern Isles ferry service (NIFS) public consultation.
Details of the Data Breach
The breach happened when Transport Scotland sent an email that included recipients in the “To” field instead of using “bcc,” allowing all recipients to view each other’s email addresses. Reports indicate that over 280 email addresses were exposed.
Consultation and Response
The NIFS consultation garnered more than 1,000 responses from the public. After identifying the issue, Transport Scotland attempted to recall the email, but this action inadvertently included all previously exposed email addresses.
Official Statement
A spokesperson for Transport Scotland confirmed that the breach had been reported in compliance with data protection protocols. They addressed the situation by stating, “We are aware of an error in the distribution of an email to NIFS consultation participants which resulted in recipients’ email addresses being visible to others.”
Actions Taken
The agency emphasized their swift action once the error was recognized and apologized for any distress caused. To prevent future occurrences, Transport Scotland has strengthened its internal guidelines regarding the protection of personal information in group communications.
Public Consultation on Ferry Services
This incident coincided with ongoing public consultations regarding the next Northern Isles ferry contract. More information about the consultation results can be accessed via Transport Scotland’s official channels.
- Agency: Transport Scotland
- Event: Data breach from NIFS consultation email
- Involved: Over 280 Shetland residents’ email addresses
- Total responses to consultation: More than 1,000
