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The information provided by police officers ended up online in the violent country. That creates uncertainty.
Data leaks are now part of everyday life in the digital age. Criminal organizations hack corporate networks, government agencies and public infrastructure. Customer data, patient dossiers or electoral rolls find their way onto the Internet.
Occasionally, however, sensitive data also finds its way into the network as a result of human error. In Northern Ireland, sensitive data from all police officers has mistakenly found its way onto the Internet in this way.
“We know who you are”
It all started with a media enquiry: how many police officers are there in Northern Ireland? The Northern Irish authorities did not just provide a number, but a comprehensive data set with the names, rank, function and stationing of all 10,000 police officers.
The fatal error was noticed after two hours and the sensitive data on the Internet was deleted again. Too late, as it turns out. Some of the names were published as graffiti on a house facade in Belfast over the weekend, combined with the ominous message: “We know who you are”.
Legend:
Irish Police Chief Simon Byrne (left) at a media conference on the leak (08/10/23)
EPA/Marie Therese Hurson
“The confidential data has fallen into the hands of militant Republicans,” police chief Simon Byrne said at a media conference. It is very likely that these would be used to spread fear and uncertainty or perhaps even to carry out attacks. “We do everything we can to protect our people and avoid endangering them.”
The Real Danger of Violent Attacks
The civil war in Northern Ireland may have ended long ago, but the wounds have not healed to this day. On the contrary: Brexit and the controversial Northern Ireland protocol have torn them open again. Threats from militant Unionists and Republicans continue to trigger terror warnings to this day.
Legend:
Violent riots in Londonderry (also Derry) on the 30th anniversary of the Peace Treaty of Northern Ireland (10.04.23)
REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne
Unlike the rest of the UK, police officers in Northern Ireland carry a service weapon for their own safety. With good reason: Militant Republicans still consider police officers and their families to be enemies of the state and therefore “legitimate targets”. This was demonstrated once again in February this year when Republican terrorists shot and seriously injured a police inspector in Belfast as he was picking up his son from football practice.
Deputy Chief of Police Chris Todd says he is well aware of the danger this data leak poses. Therefore he apologizes for this failure in all form. “This data leak is unacceptable.” At the moment there is no evidence that police officers are in immediate danger, “but we are doing everything possible to protect our people.”
Police union calls for protective measures
The apology will not suffice. Neither does the government’s assurance that the safety and welfare of police officers is a top priority. The officers no longer feel safe.
Legend:
A police officer surveys the crowd at a demonstration against the Northern Ireland Protocol in the town of Portadown (05/06/21)
REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne
“We believe this data is being used to locate, pursue, attack and perhaps even murder some of us,” a police officer told the Belfast Telegraph. The police union is therefore not only demanding protective measures, but also compensation for officers who want to leave the service or even Northern Ireland out of fear.