The Co-operative Group has admitted that a recent cyber attack resulted in the theft of personal data belonging to all 65 million of its members. The breach, described as one of the largest in UK retail history, has sent shockwaves through the business and raised urgent questions about data protection.
What Happened?
In a statement released today, the Co-op's chief executive confirmed that hackers successfully infiltrated their systems, accessing sensitive member information. While financial data appears unaffected, names, addresses, and contact details were compromised.
Company Response
The retail giant has:
- Launched an immediate investigation with cybersecurity experts
- Notified the Information Commissioner's Office
- Begun contacting affected members
- Pledged to strengthen its digital defences
Industry Implications
This breach highlights the growing threat of cybercrime to UK businesses. Experts warn that:
- Retailers remain prime targets for hackers
- Customer trust is increasingly fragile
- Regulatory fines could be substantial
The Co-op has promised free credit monitoring for all affected members and apologised for the incident, calling it "a matter of deep regret".
