Affected police officers squeezed mental health services, relocated over safety fears

Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) employees who had their details exposed in a significant 2023 data breach will each receive £7,500 ($10,279) as part of a universal offer of compensation.

According to Liam Kelly, chief of the Police Federation for Northern Ireland, £119 million ($163 million) has been ringfenced for compensation payments, which are expected to be issued from April.

"This universal offer is substantial and major progress in this protracted matter," he said. "For many officers, it will mean they are able to draw a line under the case and move on with their careers."

The 2023 data breach was considered one of the most significant and potentially dangerous lapses of data security in UK history.

The PSNI accidentally published a spreadsheet online as part of a response to a request made under Freedom of Information laws.

Officers faced serious safety risks after their personal details ...