Media Law

Specialists in Data Protection & GDPR claims

Media Law

Protecting Personal Data, Privacy & Your Rights

In today’s digital age, personal data is more valuable and vulnerable than ever. Whether you’re an individual whose sensitive information has been misused, or a business facing regulatory scrutiny, robust legal support is essential. At Taylor Hampton, our data protection solicitors specialise in bringing claims under the UK GDPR and Data Protection Act (“DPA”) 2018. We can help safeguard your personal data rights, mitigate risk for Data Controllers, and pursue redress through the courts and/or the ICO

Media Law

Why Data Protection & GDPR matter

As an organisation, you must ensure you comply with the UK GDPR and DPA 2018. This legislation regulates how Data Controllers and Processors collect, use, store, and share personal information.

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) oversees regulatory enforcement, has powers to audit, issue fines, and demands corrective action. Non-compliance can lead to serious reputational, operational, and financial consequences.

Media Law

Key data protection principles you must follow

If you process personal data, you have legal obligations. Under the UK GDPR and DPA 2018, data must be:

Processed fairly, lawfully, and transparently
Collected for specific, explicit, legitimate purposes
Adequate, relevant and limited to what is necessary
Accurate and kept up to date
Retained only as long as needed
Processed securely, with appropriate safeguards

Failing to adhere to these obligations can lead to regulatory action or civil claims.

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Rights of Data Subjects (individuals)

If your data is being processed, you have rights under the law. These include:

Right to be informed – transparency on how your data is used
Right of access – to view the personal data held about you
Right to rectification – correct inaccurate data
Right to erasure (“right to be forgotten”)
Right to restrict processing
Right to data portability
Right to object to certain processing
Right not to be subject to automated decision-making / profiling

If any of these rights are breached, legal action may be possible.

Media Law

When you need legal support

You may need expert help in these scenarios:

Data breach
personal data has been lost, hacked, leaked, or accessed unlawfully
Regulator investigations
facing inquiries or enforcement action from the ICO
Subject access requests
complications or refusals when exercising your rights or responding to SARs
Automated decisions / profiling
disputes around algorithmic decision-making
Misuse of data
data used without or beyond permission, sold, or shared inappropriately
Corporate / organisational compliance
ensuring policies, audits, and contracts comply with data law

We also act in circumstances where individuals assert claims for misuse of personal information, or wish to make deindexation requests to search engines in relation to information about them made available online.

Media Law

The relevant legal tests

Under a Misuse of Private Information claim, a Claimant will need to satisfy the following:

That they have, objectively speaking, a reasonable expectation of privacy in the relevant information. The factors the Court will consider when assessing whether a person has a reasonable expectation of privacy were set out in detail in Murray V Big Pictures (UK) Ltd [2008] EWCA Civ446.
That their reasonable expectation to privacy is not outweighed by a countervailing interest of the Defendant, such as the Defendant’s right to Freedom of Expression under Article 10 of the ECHR.

Under a UK GDPR claim, a Claimant will need to satisfy the following:

That the information involved meets the definition of “Personal Data” under the legislation;
That the Personal Data was “processed” by the Defendant for the purpose of Article 4(2) of the GDPR;
That the Personal Data has been processed unlawfully, i.e absent consent, or without any other lawful basis as identified under Article 6 of the GDPR.
That the alleged breach has caused harm to the Claimant resulting in damage (financial loss, distress, anxiety, or reputational harm).

These cases are legally complex and fact-sensitive. Early legal advice is critical.

Media Law

Remedies & what you can seek

If your claim succeeds, potential remedies include:

Removal / erasure orders – take down content, delete data
Injunctions / undertakings – prevent further misuse
Compensation / damages – for distress, reputational harm, or financial loss
Corrective statements / apologies
Recovery of legal costs
Regulatory engagement / mitigation – dealing with ICO, minimizing sanctions

Media Law

Why choose Taylor Hampton?

Specialist media / privacy law firm with deep experience in data protection, privacy, and related litigation
Proven ability to handle high-stakes, high-profile privacy and data cases
Capability across individual rights claims and large organisation compliance
Rapid response, discretion, and strategic legal solutions
Track record in related fields (defamation, privacy, phone hacking), giving us a holistic view

Media Law

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have a claim if my personal data rights were breached?

Often yes — especially if it led to harm, distress, or misuse beyond what was permitted.

How long do I have to bring a data protection claim?

Under GDPR, statutory timeframes and limitation periods apply (often six years for contract / tort claims).

Can I force Google to remove my personal data?

Yes — via erasure requests, regulatory enforcement, or court orders in certain circumstances.

What is the difference between a privacy claim and GDPR claim?

Privacy / misuse of private information deals with wrongful exposure and/or intrusion of private data, whereas GDPR claims focus on unlawful processing of personal data under statutory rules.

Can a company be fined by the ICO and also sued by me?

Yes. Regulatory penalties do not prevent individual civil claims.

Speak to our team

Speak to our Data Protection & GDPR solicitors today

If your personal data has been misused or you suspect non-compliance, don’t wait. Contact Taylor Hampton’s data protection solicitors for expert advice and swift action.

Client testimonials

What our clients say

All testimonials

Among the small number well known to this court as practitioners in the field of media law.

Senior High Court Media Judge

My experiences with Taylor Hampton were one-hundred percent positive. We could not have hoped to find a better lawyer.

Dr Knight

Taylor Hampton offered an efficient and highly professional service, founded on sound advice and an excellent understanding of relevant law, which secured a highly satisfactory outcome to my case.

Anonymous Client

Media Law