by Kelly Hagedorn, Tracey Lattimer, Emily Bruemmer, and Jennifer Yun

In today’s world, data breaches are a regular occurrence.  The size and scale varies, and they have different causes, but those matters are irrelevant if you are a data subject affected – you just want the situation resolved and compensation for any losses you suffer.  Who should be responsible for those breaches?  Where a company has not taken sufficient steps to safeguard personal data, the answer is obvious.  But what about where a rogue employee leaks personal data with the deliberate intention of harming his employer?  The English High Court has recently decided that even in that instance, the employer is liable to data subjects.  Although there is no specific case on this point, we believe that a similar outcome would be reached in an action under US law. Continue reading →