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Veterans Affairs Department Settles 2006 Data Breach Theft Suits
The United States Veterans Affairs Department (VA) has agreed to settle and pay $20 million in respect of class action lawsuits filed by veterans alleging invasions of privacy. The alleged invasions of privacy occurred when a laptop and external drive containing personal information of millions of veterans and active troops were stolen in a burglary at a VA employee’s house in 2006. The employee had stored the data on the laptop computer and external hard drive at his home without permission. The stolen equipment was later recovered and the FBI determined that information stored on the equipment was not accessed or compromised.
Under the settlement proposal, veterans who show harm from the data theft will be able to receive payment ranging from $75 to $1,500. The settlement must be approved by a judge of the U.S. District Court in Washington D.C. before it becomes final.
For additional information visit:
http://www.vawatchdog.org/09/nf09/nfjan09/nf012809-3.htm