Last Updated 3rd July 2025. If your personal information is exposed in a trade union membership data breach, you might be wondering what your options are. We trust the organisations we are members of to keep our personal data safe, but that is not always the case. If you suffered harm in such circumstances, you may be able to claim data breach compensation.
This article will explain the steps involved in making a claim, from the evidence you might need to what compensation can potentially cover. We’ll also examine why trade union membership data is protected and who may be responsible for breaches. To illustrate this, we’ll provide examples of how breaches occur and why they may result in a claim.
Towards the end of this guide, we’ll take a look at the type of No Win No Fee contract offered by our specialist solicitors. They’ve secured compensation for clients across the country, and one of these experts could help you make a successful data breach claim next.
For further information on making a claim with one of our dedicated solicitors, you can:
- Ring us on 0800 073 8804
- Enquire through the contact form
- Chat with an advisor in the live chat window
Select A Section
- What Is A Trade Union Membership Data Breach?
- What Is Covered By Special Category Data?
- Does The UK GDPR Protect Trade Union Membership Data?
- How Should Trade Union Membership Data Be Processed?
- Statistics On Cyber Security Breaches
- How Do Trade Union Membership Data Breach Claims Happen?
- Trade Union Membership Data Breach Compensation Settlements
- Contact A Data Breach Claims Specialist
What Is A Trade Union Membership Data Breach?
Before understanding a trade union membership data breach, it is important to understand what a trade union is.
A trade union consists of workers or employees who want to protect or advance their interests in the workplace. Due to the nature of trade unions, they often possess personal data regarding their members. A personal data breach is a security incident that compromises the confidentiality, integrity, or availability of personal information. It may be accidental or unlawful.
Trade union membership data is special category data. The UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) defines special category data as personal data that requires extra protection due to its sensitivity. Personal data is any information that identifies you, such as your surname, home address, or date of birth.
You can report a data breach to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), the UK’s independent regulator for data protection.
What Is Covered By Special Category Data?
As mentioned above, special category data refers to personal information relating to you that is considered more sensitive in nature. Besides trade union membership, this type of personal data covers:
- Racial or ethnic origin.
- Political opinions.
- Religious and philosophical beliefs.
- Genetic data.
- Biometric data for the purpose of uniquely identifying a natural person.
- Data concerning health.
- Sex life and sexual orientation.
Our solicitors may be able to help if you have been affected by a trade union membership data breach. Speak to an advisor for more information by using the live chat feature at the bottom of this screen.
Does The UK GDPR Protect Trade Union Membership Data?
The UK GDPR does protect trade union membership data, together with the Data Protection Act 2018. These data protection laws govern how organisations process the personal information of UK citizens:
- Confidentiality and integrity: An organisation should not breach confidentiality, integrity, or security when processing data. Personal data could be lost or stolen if it is not properly secured. The same security applies to a device that holds personal data.
- Minimisation of data: They must only collect data for necessary purposes.
- Limitation of purpose: They should explicitly state the purpose of processing personal data to the data subject (e.g. you) and must not use it for unspecified purposes.
- Accountability: Organisations must show compliance.
- Transparency, lawfulness and fairness: It should be clear why personal data is processed, and the processing must be fair and lawful.
- Limitation of storage: The organisation should store data for the minimum period necessary.
- Accuracy: Data should be accurate and updated when required.
A trade union membership breach could happen if there is a failure to comply with data protection laws. Get in touch with our team of advisors for more information.
How Should Trade Union Membership Data Be Processed?
The UK GDPR forbids organisations like trade unions from processing special category data without your explicit consent (unless there’s a lawful basis for processing that provides an exception).
If you think you have suffered a trade union membership data breach, you may be eligible to make a claim. Get in touch today.
Statistics On Cyber Security Breaches
The Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2025 offers the latest statistics on cybersecurity and data breach incidents in the UK. It indicates that phishing remains the most common threat to businesses and charities.
Moreover, the survey revealed that a little over 4 in 10 businesses (43%) had reported breaches or attacks. However, the number of businesses reporting a cyberattack or breach had dropped compared to 2024.
Inadequate cybersecurity protection may lead to a trade union membership data breach. Yet, according to the survey, only 40% of businesses used two-factor authentication, while just 30% engaged in user monitoring.
Ready to make a claim? Speak to our advisors today.
How Do Trade Union Membership Data Breach Claims Happen?
Trade union membership data breach claims can happen for any number of reasons. To help give you clarity, we will explore several scenarios below, showing how a claim might arise:
- Despite having the correct details on file, you discover that your trade union has sent a letter containing personal information about you to the wrong address. This human error leaves you distressed, causing you to develop long-term anxiety.
- Your trade union fails to provide staff with appropriate cybersecurity training, meaning they are unable to recognise phishing emails. Subsequently, a union employee shares personal information about you when a spoof email requests membership data for specific individuals. This breach leaves you with severe anxiety and forces you to invest in extra home security.
- No efforts are made by trade union management to organise regular audits of cybersecurity software. That failure results in a serious trade union membership data breach, leaving you distressed about the information obtained in the ransomware attack.
These scenarios represent only a small snapshot of the many causes of data breach claims involving trade union membership. You can share your own experience with one of our advisors at any time.
If you’re also wondering how to claim for a trade union membership data breach, our advisory team can help. They’re available 24/7 and can provide you with free, no-obligation advice tailored to your unique circumstances. Keep reading as we next discuss the question of trade union membership data breach compensation.
Trade Union Membership Data Breach Compensation Settlements
Your trade union membership data breach compensation settlement may be made up of compensation for:
- Non-Material Damage: The psychological harm. For example, you might have suffered stress due to a data breach.
- Material Damage: The financial loss arising from the data breach. You may have out-of-pocket costs related to lost earnings or counselling. In some cases, it may be necessary to invest in extra home security or even move home.
To claim compensation for your financial losses, you will need to provide evidence such as receipts, invoices, and payslips. If you suffered psychological damage, your solicitor may use the Judicial College Guidelines to put a value on this part of the claim. The JCG is a publication that compiles suggested compensation brackets for many different kinds of harm, including PTSD.
You can see some suggested brackets in the table below, but please note that the top figure isn’t from the JCG. This table does not guarantee compensation and should be used for guidance only.
| Harm | Severity | Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple Forms of Psychological Harm + Financial Loss (e.g. Lost Earnings) | Very Severe | £250,000+ |
| General Psychiatric Damage | Severe | £66,920 to £141,240 |
| Moderately Severe | £23,270 to £66,920 | |
| Moderate | £7,150 to £23,270 | |
| Less Severe | £1,880 to £7,150 | |
| Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) | Severe | £73,050 to £122,850 |
| Moderately Severe | £28,250 to £73,050 | |
| Moderate | £9,980 to £28,250 | |
| Less Severe | £4,820 to £9,980 |
If you’d like our advisors to value your claim for free, why not get in touch?
Contact A Data Breach Claims Specialist
Now that you know more about trade union membership data breach compensation settlements, you may be interested in pursuing a claim. A No Win No Fee solicitor can provide legal representation without the financial risks traditionally associated with hiring one. You wouldn’t have to pay any upfront or ongoing solicitor fees through the type of No Win No Fee arrangement offered by our solicitors, referred to as a Conditional Fee Agreement.
Furthermore, if your claim is unsuccessful, you don’t have to pay any solicitor fees whatsoever. However, if you win, a legally capped percentage will be deducted from your compensation as payment for the solicitor’s work.
Our team at Legal Expert can connect you with one of our experienced data breach solicitors, who can help you build a compelling case for compensation. Reach out today:
- Ring us on 0800 073 8804
- Enquire through the contact form
- Chat with an advisor in the live chat window
Breach Of Data Protection Resources
Here are some additional resources that you may find useful:
- Annual government statistics on trade union membership in the UK.
- The ICO provides information on the rules for special category data.
- Employment rights concerning trade union membership.
Take a look at more of our specialised guides:
- Making a claim for an employer personal data breach.
- Learn about salary and wage data breach claims.
- Frequently asked questions about data breach evidence.
Get in touch today and move a step closer to making a claim for a trade union membership data breach.
Written by Jennings
Edited by Victorine
