Ferry passengers hit by data breach during sailing

Customers on a P&O ferry have been hit by a data breach after personal information was shared during the sailing, the cross-Channel operator has said.

P&O Ferries said an "isolated incident" took place on a sailing on the Calais to Dover route on Monday when a link containing personal information relating to passengers on the vessel was "inadvertently shared" with several other customers.

A spokesperson for P&O Ferries said it was contacting customers who had been affected and apologised for any inconvenience.

An Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) spokesperson said P&O Ferries had reported an incident, adding: "We are assessing the information provided."

The P&O Ferries spokesperson said: "We are aware of an isolated incident that took place on the morning of Monday 31 August 2026 in which a link containing certain personal information relating to customers on a single sailing was inadvertently shared with a number of those customers.

"P&O Ferries is contacting impacted customers directly," they said.

"We take the security and confidentiality of personal information seriously and apologise for any inconvenience.

"We will continue to keep affected customers informed through the appropriate channels as further information becomes available."

The ICO spokesperson said: "People have the right to expect that organisations will keep their information secure.

"Organisations must notify the ICO within 72 hours of becoming aware of a personal data breach, unless it does not pose a risk to people's rights and freedoms," they said.

"If an organisation decides that a breach doesn't need to be reported they should keep their own record of it and be able to explain why it wasn't reported if necessary.

"P&O Ferries reported an incident to us and we are assessing the information provided."

Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, X, and on Instagram and listen to BBC Radio Kent on Sounds. Send your story ideas to [email protected] or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.