The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) was created to protect personal data from unauthorized access, misuse, and public exposure. However, what happens when a company publicly exposes your sensitive data? Whether it’s a leaked email, financial records, medical files, or personal identification details, you have the right to take action.
In this guide, we will walk you through the necessary steps to take when your data has been improperly disclosed by a company, what legal protections exist, and how to request removal and compensation for damages.
🔹 Can I file a complaint?
🔹 What legal steps can I take?
🔹 How do I collect evidence of a GDPR violation?
Let’s find out everything you need to protect your privacy and rights under GDPR!
1. The Legal Framework: Your Rights Under GDPR
The GDPR (Regulation EU 2016/679) enforces strict obligations on companies and institutions that handle personal data. It establishes key principles such as:
✅ Lawfulness & Transparency – Your data cannot be used without your explicit consent or legal justification.
✅ Purpose Limitation – Companies cannot use your data for purposes beyond what was originally agreed upon.
✅ Data Security – Organizations must protect your personal information against breaches.
✅ Right to Be Forgotten – You can request the immediate deletion of your data.
If your personal data has been made public without consent, you have the right to file a complaint and demand removal and legal action against the responsible party.
2. How Do You Know If Your Data Has Been Publicly Exposed?
Your data may have been leaked in the following ways:
🚨 Emails sent to the wrong recipient containing your personal or financial details
🚨 Medical or tax documents sent to the wrong person or published online
🚨 A company accidentally exposes personal records in a public database
🚨 Sensitive company files shared in a security breach or hacking incident
🚨 Your personal data (phone, address, or ID) leaked due to poor website security
⚠️ If any of these situations apply to you, follow the next steps immediately.
3. Immediate Actions to Take If Your Data Has Been Leaked
🔴 1. Contact the company responsible for the data breach
- Send a formal email requesting an immediate explanation and correction of the breach.
- Request the removal of your personal information from public access.
🔴 2. File a complaint with the Data Protection Authority
- Each country has a GDPR enforcement authority (e.g., ICO in the UK, CNIL in France, Garante Privacy in Italy).
- Submit a formal GDPR complaint detailing the breach and your requested action.
🔴 3. Secure your personal data
- Change passwords, enable two-factor authentication (2FA).
- Check if your data has been shared or duplicated online.
🔴 4. Gather legal evidence
- Take screenshots of exposed data.
- Request written confirmation from the company acknowledging their mistake.
- Collect any emails, letters, or records showing the data breach.
🔴 5. Consider legal action
- If the exposure of your data has caused damages, you can seek compensation.
- A GDPR violation can lead to high fines for companies, up to €20 million or 4% of their global revenue.
4. How to Formally Request Data Removal (GDPR Sample Email)
🔹 If your personal data has been exposed, you must make a formal request to the company under GDPR law.
📩 Example email template:
Subject: Urgent GDPR Data Breach Complaint – Immediate Removal Request
Dear [Company Name] Data Protection Officer,
I am writing to formally report a violation of my personal data protection rights under GDPR (Regulation EU 2016/679).
On [date], I discovered that my personal information, including [describe exposed data], was publicly disclosed without my consent.
I kindly request the immediate removal of my personal data and an explanation of how this breach occurred. Additionally, please provide details on the corrective measures taken to prevent future violations.
If no corrective action is taken within 30 days, I will escalate this complaint to the [National Data Protection Authority] and consider further legal steps.
Please confirm receipt of this request and your corrective actions.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
[Your Contact Information]
5. What Data Must NOT Be Publicly Disclosed?
According to Article 9 of the GDPR, certain types of sensitive data require special protection:
❌ Health records & medical history
❌ Financial data & banking details
❌ National ID, passport, or driver’s license numbers
❌ Religious, political, or sexual orientation details
❌ Employment and salary records
❌ Criminal records or legal history
⚠️ If any of this data has been publicly disclosed, it is a serious GDPR violation!
6. How to Collect Evidence for GDPR Complaints & Authorities
To report a GDPR breach effectively, collect:
📌 Screenshots of the exposed data
📌 Emails from the company admitting the mistake
📌 Statements from affected individuals
📌 Website links where your data was published
📌 A timestamp proving when the data was leaked
📍 You can report your case to:
🔹 Your country’s Data Protection Authority (DPA)
🔹 Law enforcement (police or cybercrime units)
🔹 A legal representative for possible compensation claims
FAQ – GDPR Data Breach Questions & Real-Life Examples
🔹 “I received someone else’s medical records via email. What should I do?”
✔️ Inform the sender immediately and ask them to correct the mistake.
✔️ Do NOT share or forward the data.
✔️ If the company refuses to act, report them to the national Data Protection Authority.
🔹 “A public institution accidentally sent me private tax records of another person. Is this a GDPR breach?”
✔️ Yes. This is an unauthorized disclosure of sensitive financial data.
✔️ You should notify the sender and report the case to the relevant Data Protection Authority.
🔹 “My ID and address were published online without consent. What should I do?”
✔️ Request immediate removal from the website.
✔️ Report the case to the authorities if your data is being misused.
✔️ Monitor for identity theft or fraudulent activity.
Conclusion: Protect Your Rights – GDPR Compliance Matters
If a company exposes your personal data, you have the right to take action under GDPR. Follow the steps outlined in this guide, collect evidence, and report any violations to ensure your privacy is respected.
💡 Data protection is a fundamental right – don’t hesitate to enforce it!
🔗 Useful Resources: