Fire officer who lost €1,400 cryptocurrency through work phone loses appeal
An Irish fire prevention officer has lost his appeal against the Data Protection Commission regarding a cyberattack that resulted in the loss of his cryptocurrency. The court upheld the decision that the HSE was not liable as a data controller for the personal use of a work device.
Why it matters
The case clarifies legal boundaries regarding data controller responsibilities when employees use work-issued devices for personal financial activities.
A HSE fire prevention officer has lost an appeal over a refusal of the Data Protection Commission (DPC) to investigate an alleged data breach connected to the use of his work phone for personal use .
Eamon McShane , Burtonport, Co Donegal, claimed he lost 1,400 in cryptocurrency as a result of the May 2021 cyberattack on the HSE computer system.
He said in June/July 2021, he discovered that his personal email accounts had been hacked along with his personal cryptocurrency account and that his work mobile was the source or cause of the hack.
The court heard he acknowledged that using the phone for personal emails was not an acceptable use of the device.
He made a complaint to the HSE seeking compensation for his loss but was not satisfied with its response. He then made a complaint to the DPC.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in