'Anyone that contacted Dublin City Council could be compromised' as Data Commission probes GDPR breach

• Published date: 02 February 2022

And "anyone that has contacted the Council is compromised," a Councillor told Dublin Live

Dublin City Council told Dublin Live on Friday they launched their own investigation into the apparent GDPR breach after "family photos" and other materials appeared on devices issued by the local authority.

The issue was raised by former Lord Mayor Micheal Mac Donncha at last Thursday's Protocol Committee meeting.

A source at the meeting said Cllr Mac Donncha's iPad suddenly displayed "family photos" he didn't recognise.

The apparent breach is not limited to the "family photos", with one source saying there were also pictures of what appeared to be political activists working.

Officials from the Chief Executive's office called Councillors after the meeting to inquire about the issue and recalled some Councillor's iPads, sources confirmed.

The problem is understood to be linked to older devices and not the newer models.

A number of councillors raised concerns about the security of confidential constituent information and whether the problem has spread to Council staff equipment as well.

Independent Councillor Mannix Flynn was "deeply, deeply shocked" the Council's communications equipment is "not safe or secure".

He said: "It is just beggars belief that an organisation as relevant and as powerful and as centre stage as Dublin City Council - bearing in mind the kind of information that is floating around - hasn't got its IT secure.

"This is not the first time this has actually...