Britain ’s privacy watchdog on Monday announced its intent to fine British Airways , the country ’s second - largest airline , nearly £ 183.4 million ( $ 229.5 million ) citing a security weakness in the airline business ’s web site that enable hackers to reap the personal information of customers .

The U.K. Information Commissioner ’s Office ( ICO ) issued a notice occupy the proposed fine citing infringements of the General Data Protection Regulation ( GDPR ) . The incident was the result of miserable surety arrangements at the company , the ICO tell in a statement .

https://gizmodo.com/it-s-been-one-year-since-gdpr-scared-the-crap-out-of-si-1834978929

British Airways planes parked at Heathrow Airport in London.

British Airways planes parked at Heathrow Airport in London.Photo: Frank Augstein / AP

“ masses ’s personal data is just that — personal . When an organization fails to protect it from red ink , scathe or theft it is more than an inconvenience , ” said Information Commissioner Elizabeth Denham . “ That ’s why the law is clean — when you are confide with personal data you must face after it . ”

She add : “ Those that do n’t will face scrutiny from my spot to mark they have take appropriate steps to protect fundamental privateness rights . ”

More than 500,000 client were compromise as a result of the incident , grant to British Airways . The company has advised that anyone who made booking or change to engagement between August 21 , 2018 , and September 5 , 2018 , may be a dupe .

Argentina’s President Javier Milei (left) and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., holding a chainsaw in a photo posted to Kennedy’s X account on May 27. 2025.

The airline has said names , charge addresses , email address , and all bank card detail were at risk . No passport or travel point were slip , it articulate .

Alex Cruz , British Airways ’ chairwoman and chief executive , told Gizmodo the company was “ surprised and disappointed ” by the ICO ’s proposal . “ British Airways responded quickly to a vicious act to slip customer ’ data point , ” he said . “ We have found no grounds of fraud / fraudulent activity on report linked to the theft . We apologise to our customers for any inconvenience this effect caused . ”

Willie Walsh , main administrator of International Airlines Group , which possess British Airway , said the party intends to take “ all appropriate steps to defend the airline ’s position vigorously , including make any necessary appeals . ”

William Duplessie

The likely £ 183.4 million fine against British Airways would be the large mulct imposed by the UK under GDPR since the law went into effect in May 2018 , according to theBBC . The premature largest fines by the ICO include a£500,000 penalisation levied against Facebookfor its role in the Cambridge Analytica debacle—£500,000 being the maximum fine under the UK ’s previous data protection prescript — and a£500,000 amercement against Equifaxfor its 2017 datum severance , whichreportedlyaffected up to 15 million UK residents .

The ICO has not yet issued a schematic decision concerning the penalization and say it is turn over input from British Airways as well as other data trade protection authorities . The guard dog also noted the airline has cooperate with the investigation and said it has already made improvements to its protection .

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