June 2012 : New record level of £325,000 data protection penalty imposed on an NHS Hospital Trust
The highest monetary penalty notice issued so far is not far short of the legal UK maximum of £500,000. This reflects the severity of the data breach as assessed by the Information Commissioner. The magnitude is indicative of the combined impact of the sensitivity of the particular personal data compromised, the volume of information inappropriately disclosed, and the number of individuals affected.