Data Breach at JLR Reveals Employee Records and Layoffs

A recent data breach revealed the records of hundreds of employees at Jaguar Land Rover’s factory in Solihull, England. This breach, which was first reported by the Huffington Post, included employee names as well as personnel issues such as sick days used and disciplinary issues. What is worse, the records were also flagged to indicate who might be let go during the company’s upcoming layoffs.

In a bit of a public relations snafu, instead of accepting blame and attempting to apologize for the data breach, JLR initially denied the reports calling them “fake news”.  Obviously, employees are none-too-pleased.

As we reported last month, Jaguar Land Rover is planning to cut approximately 1,000 manufacturing jobs due to the diesel scandal and falling sales numbers. The company is cutting the jobs at the Birmingham factory that manufactures the Jaguar F-Pace, Land Rover Discovery, and various Range Rover models.

In the Huffington Post story, one worker called the situation “disgusting” and “embarrassing,” adding that people at the factory now know whether they, or their colleagues, are soon due to lose their job.

JLR is now placing blame for the data breach firmly on German logistics firm DHL, which works with Jaguar to deliver parts to car assembly lines.

While there is no word yet on how the data was leaked, it appears to be in the form of a simple spreadsheet which may have been mailed, intentionally or unintentionally, to someone outside of the approved corporate chain of communications. If intentional, the motives remain to be seen. All of this will be the subject of an investigation by the UK’s Information Commissioner‘s office.

Ironically, all of this came to light on the same date that the EU’s new General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) went into effect. The main thrust of the GDPR being stronger rules on data protection mean people have more control over their personal data and businesses benefit from a level playing field.

Note: This article originally in part or total via HuffPo UK. 

Michael Carnell

Editor at Just British

Michael Carnell is the editor and founder of the Just British Online Motoring Magazine. As a lifelong British car enthusiast, he has owned or driven British cars of all ages from Austins and MGs to Jaguars and Triumphs. He currently owns a 1966 Vanden Plas Princess 1100 and a 1977 MGB. But there is always room for more - no matter what his wife says.