Manchester HIV charity has ‘sensitive’ health data stolen

People using an HIV charity have been told their “sensitive and personal” health information may have been stolen in a data breach.

In an email sent to George House Trust users and seen by the BBC, the Manchester-based organisation said the material had been downloaded by hackers but not published.

The breach is part of a wider cyber security incident potentially affecting up to 1,500 charities across the UK.

George House Trust said it was investigating and “taking all appropriate steps”.

The charity, which was set up in 1985, provides support, advice and information to thousands of people living with HIV.

It is unclear how many people connected to the trust have been affected by the breach.

The email said personal information including addresses, emails, telephone numbers and “notes and records” about users engagement with the charity was on the database that was targeted.

However, it said there was “no sign that any of the data or information” had been “misused in any way at this time”.