Cornwall Council data breach sees pupil details sent to strangers

A local authority data breach has seen the personal details of multiple children, including their home addresses, sent to complete strangers.

Cornwall Council has confirmed that a number of emails relating to school transport assistance were sent in error to the wrong recipients.

It apologised to concerned parents for the error and said it was undertaking a “full internal investigation”.

A spokesperson called such incidents “rare” and said staff were trying to “establish how this occurred and ensure it cannot happen again”.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, one father said: “We received the complete details of another child and the only thing the department did was email back, saying: ‘Please delete the last email.’

“I emailed them asking for an explanation and they haven’t replied.

“We and other parents have received no update, no apology or even personal confirmation that this is being looked into.

“It’s a real poor show.”

A council spokesperson said: “We take the protection of personal data extremely seriously and remain committed to handling residents’ information with the utmost care and confidence.”