150,000 consumers Join the Claim as experts call for accountability for cyber attacks
More than 150,000 people affected by data breaches have now registered with online platform Join the Claim, as bosses call for companies to do more to protect users’ privacy in a year of data breaches.
Join the Claim – a free consumer service designed to help individuals understand their rights and connect them with law firms handling mass legal actions – has reported a significant surge in users as a wave of high-profile cyber attacks continues.
2025 has seen a sharp escalation in serious data incidents, with major brands including Co-op, Marks & Spencer and Jaguar Land Rover targeted by hackers.
Jordan Clayton, founder of the Join the Claim, said: “Every week, people are waking up to emails saying their data’s been stolen, but most don’t know what to do next.
“They feel exposed, frustrated, and unsure who to trust. Join the Claim gives people a single, trusted place to understand their rights and take action when companies fail to protect them.”
According to government figures, 43% of UK businesses and 30% of charities experienced a cyber breach or attack in the past 12 months.
Since the start of this year, over 150,000 people affected by data breaches have registered with Join the Claim, with more than 80,000 going on to join live group actions through regulated partner law firms in England, Wales and Scotland.
Join the Claim combines real-time case listings with online eligibility tools that help people check their eligibility, register interest, receive updates when new cases open, and complete registration with regulated partner law firms.
Jordan continued: “There is a gap between people affected by these breaches and the law firms trying to bring them justice.
“We’re moving into a digital age where protecting people’s data needs to be a basic standard. If companies aren’t held accountable, change may not happen as fast as it needs to.”
Despite a recent increase in data breaches, few Britons know how to join a mass legal claim against a company which has lost their data, according to research from think tank Portland.
The figures also show a majority of Britons believe class actions achieve positive outcomes, holding large companies to account and improving corporate behaviour.
Jordan continued: “These cases are ultimately about accountability and fairness. While large organisations often have cyber insurance to help absorb the impact of data breaches, most consumers don’t.
“They deserve a fair route to justice when their personal information is compromised.”
Alongside data breach cases, Join the Claim also lists other collective consumer actions, covering areas such as vehicle emissions, equal pay, product-related issues, and Big Tech overcharging.