Data protection fiction. Your individual data is already online, urgent message!

In 2025, promises of effective protection of individual data by public institutions frequently stay only on paper. Despite the tightened GDPR regulations and increasing awareness of threats, hundreds of thousands of Poles face brutal truth: their delicate data, entrusted to the offices, already circulating on the Internet. This is not a distant perspective, but a reality that can contact each of us. From PESEL numbers, through residence addresses, to medical and financial data, information that should be protected as much as the largest state treasure is regularly looted by cyber criminals. How is it that in times of advanced technologies and billions of investment in security, public systems are inactive failing? What does it mean for you and how can you defend yourself erstwhile your digital identity is compromised?

GDPR fiction and increasing cyber threat in 2025

The GDPR Regulation (GDPR) was to be a milestone in protecting the privacy of European Union citizens, imposing restrictive obligations on data controllers, including public institutions. Unfortunately, in practice in 2025 we observe that for many offices it is inactive just a formality. Cybersecurity experts are alerting: the public sector in Poland remains 1 of the most susceptible to attacks, and its infrastructure frequently fails to keep pace with the rapidly changing threats. Last year, it is estimated that more than 60% of all reported data leaks in Poland afraid state or local institutions, an increase of nearly 15% compared to 2023. specified a scale of the problem demonstrates systemic gaps, from underfinancing of IT departments, through outdated software, to the deficiency of appropriate training for employees. As a result, your data, which you confidently transmit to the Social safety Office, the taxation office or the municipality, can become an easy mark for hackers.

How does your data go online? Leaking mechanisms and who is liable for them

The ways in which delicate individual data gets out of safe office systems are diverse and frequently surprising. The most common of them are phishing attacks that deceive employees to uncover confidential information or install malware. ransomware attacks, paralyzing full systems and extorting ransoms, frequently leading to disclosure, are equally dangerous. Unfortunately, it is besides not possible to ignore the human origin – worker errors, specified as sending an email to the incorrect recipient or losing an unsecured data carrier, are inactive common. Moreover, there are besides cases of intentional action by the alleged "insiders". Offices, despite having procedures, are frequently incapable to effectively enforce them or their systems are simply besides complicated and opaque. The work for these incidents lies primarily with data controllers, i.e. the institutions themselves.. They are required to implement appropriate method and organisational measures to prevent specified situations. Unfortunately, the penalties imposed by UODO (Office for individual Data Protection) are frequently not severe adequate to induce public entities to make real changes.

What does leaking your data mean? The Consequences You request To Know

Knowing that your individual data is in the incorrect hands is only the beginning of problems. The consequences of specified a leak can be long-term and highly severe, affecting all aspect of your life. The most immediate threat is identity theft. Criminals, with your PESEL number, address, and even identity card data, can take credit in your name, set up false bank accounts, registry service companies, and even cheat benefits. another threats are:

• Financial extortion: Cheaters may effort to extort money from you, claiming to be public institutions or banks, citing information already in their possession about you.
• Phishing attacks: The intent of receiving personalised messages that look authentic is to encourage you to supply further delicate data.
• Loss of reputation: In utmost cases, the data can be utilized to defame your image or another criminal activities attributed to you.
• Health problems: If medical data has been leaked, they may be utilized for blackmail or discrimination.

The fight against the consequences of data leakage is frequently a long-term and stressful process, requiring time and energy to explain matters to banks, financial institutions and law enforcement. This. a serious intellectual and financial burden that falls on the victim alternatively than on the institution that failed to protect.

Immediate steps after leakage: How to defend yourself in the face of the crisis?

If you fishy or are certain that your data has been leaked from office, a fast reaction is crucial. Immediate action can minimise possible damage. Here is simply a list of precedence steps you should take:

• Please reserve your PESEL number: Since 2024, there has been a PESEL number reservation strategy in Poland. If you haven't done it yet, do it now. The reservation will prevent you from borrowing or borrowing your data.
• Monitor BIK and another debtor databases: Regularly check credit past at the Credit Information Office (BIK) and another registers specified as ERIF or KRD. You can acquisition a subscription for notifications about attempts to usage your data.
• Change all passwords: Especially those for electronic banking, email and government portals (e.g. ePUAP, IKP). usage strong, unique passwords and enable double-step verification wherever possible.
• Report the incidental to UODO: Inform individual Data Protection Office of the leak. The UODO is required to analyse the substance and take appropriate steps towards the institution which has failed.
• Be highly careful: Pay attention to suspicious calls, texts and emails. Never give your individual or financial information in consequence to unknown messages.
• Report the case to the police: In case of identity theft or extortion, study the case to the law enforcement immediately.

Remember, in the face of a increasing number of cyber attacks, Your vigilance and proactive actions are the best defence against the consequences of data protection fiction. Offices have a work to defend your information, but the eventual work for your network safety besides rests with you.