What is the maximum amount you can be fined for a data breach?
Asked by: Addison Cronin | Last update: January 7, 2026Score: 4.9/5 (43 votes)
For example, HHS may impose a civil money penalty on any person who violates the HIPAA Privacy Standards in the range from USD 100 to USD 50,000 per violation, with a total of USD 25,000 to USD 1.5 million for all violations of a single requirement in a calendar year.
How much can I sue for a data breach?
Penalties. Individuals harmed by a data breach can start a civil action to recover any incurred damages, with the exemption of individuals affected under the medical information-specific statute in California. The maximum amount awarded for a single event cannot go over $250,000.
How much can you be fined for a data breach?
The EU GDPR sets a maximum fine of €20 million (about £18 million) or 4% of annual global turnover – whichever is greater – for infringements. However, not all GDPR infringements lead to data protection fines.
What is the penalty for data breach?
The DPDP Act aims to combat this with strict data protection laws and penalties up to ₹250 Crores for non-compliance with data breach prevention measures.
Can you get money for a data breach?
Anyone, whose personal information was compromised, leaked, or mis-used as a result of a data breach incident. You can make a data breach claim for compensation even if you haven't suffered any loss (e.g. out of pocket expenses or emotional distress).
How much compensation do you get for a Data Breach?
What amounts to a data breach?
What is a personal data breach? A personal data breach means a breach of security leading to the accidental or unlawful destruction, loss, alteration, unauthorised disclosure of, or access to, personal data.
What is the biggest data breach fine?
- Meta GDPR fine- €1.2 billion. ...
- Amazon GDPR fine – €746 million. ...
- Meta GDPR fine – €405 million. ...
- Meta GDPR fine – €390 million. ...
- TikTok GDPR fine- €345 million. ...
- Linkedin GDPR fine – €310 million. ...
- Uber GDPR fine – €290 million. ...
- Meta GDPR fine – €265 million.
How much is a data breach worth?
In 2024, the average cost of a data breach reached a staggering $4.88 million, marking a 10% increase over last year. This sobering statistic underscores a disturbing trend in our increasingly digital world: data breaches are becoming more frequent, more sophisticated, and significantly more expensive.
What is the maximum fine for ICO?
If you fail to comply with an ICO Enforcement Notice, an Assessment Notice (for a compulsory audit) or an Information Notice (requiring you to provide the ICO with information for our investigation) – the ICO also has the power to impose more substantial fines of up to £17.5 million, or 4% of your total worldwide ...
Can I be compensated after a data breach?
Legal Basis for Compensation
Here are key legal principles: Data Protection Acts: Specific regulations that mandate secure handling of personal data and may entitle you to compensation if violated. Breach of Contract: If a company fails to safeguard your data as promised, you might have a case for breach of contract.
Is data breach a felony?
Hackers and cybercriminals can face criminal charges like computer fraud, identity theft, and wrongful disclosure, which may lead to jail sentences. Depending on the nature of the crime and the jurisdiction, the hacking itself may be classified as a misdemeanor (less serious) or a felony (more serious).
What is the biggest data breach settlement?
Meta's $1.4 billion settlement with the Texas Attorney General for unlawful collection of biometric data in violation of the Texas Capture or Use of Biometric Identifier Act and The Deceptive Trade Practices Act (largest ever privacy settlement in the U.S.).
How long does a data breach settlement take?
A claim for data breach compensation could take anywhere from a few months to a few years to resolve. If the surrounding circumstances are relatively clear cut and the organisation accepts a settlement, you can expect the process to proceed much faster.
How long after a data breach can you claim?
The act that limits how long you have to claim data breach compensation is the Limitation Act 1980. This act sets out the time limit for making a compensation claim for a data breach, which is generally six years from the date of the breach.
How is cost of data breach calculated?
To determine the impact of a data breach we have to figure out the cost per record. In future steps we can multiply the average cost per record against the size of the data breach. Furthermore, because we will simulate the data breaches as data breaches with random sizes.
How much can you be fined for data protection breach?
For serious breaches of the data protection principles, we have the power to issue fines of up to £17.5 million or 4% of your annual worldwide turnover, whichever is higher. In line with our regulatory action policy, we take a risk-based approach to enforcement.
How much is a data breach claim?
You can get from £3,000 to £8,600 if your financial information is breached, depending on the complications of the breach. You can get from £8,600 to £25,700 for the more serious data protection breach cases that have led to serious consequences.
How serious is a data breach?
A data breach can lead to organizations not only losing their data, which could be sensitive financial information or corporate secrets, but they can also suffer fines, financial loss, and reputational damage, which are often irreparable.
What is the average payout for a data breach?
The cost of a ransom varies based on the industry and size of the business, and it typically ranges from 1%-5% of annual revenue. Hackers may also offer incentives to pay faster.
Can you sue for a data breach?
Anyone who has been affected by a data breach may have the right to file a lawsuit, including individuals, businesses, or organizations that have suffered harm due to the breach.
What is the penalty for data breach in the US?
Violations of HIPAA can include criminal penalties, including up to ten years imprisonment in certain cases. The CCPA provides for a private right of action for certain data breaches, including potential statutory damages of up to USD 750 per consumer per incident.
Am I personally liable for a data breach?
State and federal data privacy laws in the U.S. do not impose civil liabilities in the event of a cyber intrusion. Typically, liability is imposed if the following conditions exist: An entity failed to implement safeguards required by statute or reasonable security measures.
What qualifies as a data breach?
Answer. A data breach occurs when the data for which your company/organisation is responsible suffers a security incident resulting in a breach of confidentiality, availability or integrity.
How much does the average data breach in the US cost?
As of 2024, the average cost of a data breach in the United States amounted to 9.36 million U.S. dollars, down from 9.48 million U.S. dollars in the previous year.